Human Influences on the Taiga Biome
The taiga, which is located up north between 40 and 60 degrees latitude, is very abundant, and vulnerable to human influences. Humans do have a significant impact on taiga, by doing this such as...
Deforestation
Deforestation, or the act of cutting down trees, is a HUGE problem for the Taiga biome. Humans are currently cutting down massive amounts of trees, leaving other trees exposed to summer forest fires. This action alone might someday cause the Taiga biome to cease to exist.
Acid Rain
Acid rain, which is caused when chemicals mix with the rain and make it more acidic than normal from the burning of fossil fuels, is also a big problem for the Taiga biomes. Although this rain doesn't automatically kill trees, it weakens their abilities to absorb nutrients by damaging the leaves. It also fills the soil with toxins that continue to weaken the trees. They trees would ultimately die from disease, insects, cold, or fires. This is probably the largest problem for the Taiga.
Global Warming
Global warming is yet another major problem for the Taiga biome. With increasing rates of pollution and emmisions, organisms will have slim chances of survival. The rapidly increasing changes in temperature and weather patterns could cause biomes to move large distances towards the poles in the next few decades. This means that the area covered in Taiga could be reduced by up to 90%!!
What can you do to help?
If Taiga is to continue to exist and flourish, we must reduce pollution and reduce the ammount of trees we cut down.
Also, we could install scrubbers in factory stacks to reduce acid rain.
Remember to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!
Also, we could install scrubbers in factory stacks to reduce acid rain.
Remember to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!
Question Time!
Q: What stuff is affecting Taiga right now?
Q: What can we do to reduce acid rain?
Q: What can we do to reduce acid rain?