Taiga or Boreal Biome Boreal forest soils are characterized | Upsc Environment

Taiga or Boreal Biome

Boreal forest soils are characterized by thin podzols and are rather poor. This is because:

The weathering of rocks proceeds slowly in cold environments

the litter derived from conifer needle (leaf) is decomposed very slowly and is not rich in nutrients (humus content is low).

conifers do not shed their leaves frequently.

The predominant vegetation is an evergreen coniferous forest with species such as spruce, fir and pine.

The conifers require little moisture are best suited to this type of sub-Arctic climate.

The productivity of boreal forest is lower than those of any other forest ecosystem.

Animals found in this region include Siberian tiger, wolverine, lynx, wolf, bear, red fox, squirrel, and amphibians like Hyla, Rana, etc