Plants of the taiga
This biome contains a high number of arboreal species: mainly firs (Abies and Picea), pine trees, birches, and fewer larches, willows, alders and poplars. The genus Picea consists of firs that can grow to an impressive size (over 50 m) and have a thick evergreen foliage; in Italy, we have Picea abies (or Picea excelsa), and many other species can be found everywhere in the Northern Emisphere (Eurasia and north-America). Like the Picea, also the genus Larix has also a circumboreal distribution (Eurasia and north-America), although in our regions it is represented by one species only, the larch (Larix decidua), which interestingly is the only conifer that sheds its leaves in winter (that’s where the name decidua comes from).
Evergreens prevail, partly because in this biome the summer season is short. These plants start their photosynthesis as soon as the temperature begins to rise in springtime and make the most of the feeble northern sun. Conifer needles are very good at capturing light. This is why the soil is dark and unsuitable for the undergrowth to develop. In addition, mounds of dead needles prevent herbs and shrubs from growing since they acidify the soil and replenish it of resinous substances. Only where the sun can seep in can shrubs with fleshy fruits grow, for instance currants, raspberries and blueberries. In addition, the aciform (i.e. needle-like) leaves of the conifers can tolerate the cold. In some areas, the taiga leaves room to sedges, rushes and graminaceous plants (perennial herbaceous species that love wet soil). In the moistest areas, there are mosses and liverworts and often sphagnum or peat mosses, which are responsible for the formation of peat-bogs.
Special reports
-
30 July 2020
Holidays, yes! but they must be sustainable!
We have been speaking of sustainable behaviours to apply to our daily life, but what happens when we unplug and…
23 June 2020
The Last Wild Valley. In defence of the Cime Bianche
The Vallone delle Cime Bianche or Courtaud Valley rises at the top of the Val d'Ayas, in Valle d'Aosta. It…
29 May 2017
The universe of Primo Levi
Primo Levi was not only a writer, but also a chemist, linguist and artisan...
-
6 February 2017
Robotics: environmental monitoring and more
More than 830 events were organised in 30 countries during the European Robotics Week (18-27 November)
22 September 2015
An artificial paradise under the sea
Artificial reefs are submerged man-made structures fostering marine biodiversity...
-
10 February 2014
Coral turns pale!
The coral reef is one of the ecosystems with the richest biodiversity...
29 April 2013
Intruders in the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Sea has always been considered of fundamental importance...
-
30 July 2020
Holidays, yes! but they must be sustainable!
We have been speaking of sustainable behaviours to apply to our daily life, but what happens when we unplug and…
23 June 2020
The Last Wild Valley. In defence of the Cime Bianche
The Vallone delle Cime Bianche or Courtaud Valley rises at the top of the Val d'Ayas, in Valle d'Aosta. It…
-
29 May 2017
The universe of Primo Levi
Primo Levi was not only a writer, but also a chemist, linguist and artisan...
6 February 2017
Robotics: environmental monitoring and more
More than 830 events were organised in 30 countries during the European Robotics Week (18-27 November)
-
22 September 2015
An artificial paradise under the sea
Artificial reefs are submerged man-made structures fostering marine biodiversity...
-
30 July 2020
Holidays, yes! but they must be sustainable!
We have been speaking of sustainable behaviours to apply to our daily life, but what happens when we unplug and…
-
23 June 2020
The Last Wild Valley. In defence of the Cime Bianche
The Vallone delle Cime Bianche or Courtaud Valley rises at the top of the Val d'Ayas, in Valle d'Aosta. It…
-
29 May 2017
The universe of Primo Levi
Primo Levi was not only a writer, but also a chemist, linguist and artisan...