Ecosystems · Europe, Asia and North America

Boreal Forest And Taiga

A vast belt of spruce, pine and bog around the far north.

The boreal forest, or taiga, circles the northern hemisphere as one of the largest land biomes on Earth. Spruce, pine, fir and larch dominate, with birch and aspen in the gaps, and countless lakes and bogs.

Winters are long and cold, summers short and intense, and the wildlife is adapted to both.

The Landscape

Conifers cover glacial plains and low hills, broken by peatlands, rivers and lakes. Soils are thin and acidic, and fire is part of the natural cycle, renewing the forest every few decades or centuries.

Who Lives Here

Moose, Brown Bear, Wolverine and Eurasian Lynx roam the forest, while Capercaillie, Siberian Jay and Great Grey Owl are among the specialist birds. Berries, lichens and fungi feed many animals through the year.

Through The Year

Summer brings long days, mosquitoes, berries and breeding birds. Autumn is a burst of colour from birch and larch and a time of feeding before winter. Winter is snow, tracks and silence, and spring thaw brings migrants back.

Pressures And Care

Logging, mining, changing fire patterns and warming temperatures affect the forest, and its peatlands store very large amounts of carbon. Protecting old, undisturbed forest helps both wildlife and the climate.

Visiting Well

Many areas are remote, so go with local knowledge, carry what you need, and give large animals plenty of room. Respect the right of access rules in each country.

Look for

Moose
Eurasian Lynx
Capercaillie
Great Grey Owl
Bog Bilberry

Often a good time to visit: May, June, September. Conditions vary from year to year and place to place.

Related habitats

Woodland · Wetland