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Name: ___________________________________
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❅ ❆ ❄ Taiga Ecosystems ❅ ❆ ❄
The weather is very cold in taiga ecosystems. an important source of oxygen for our planet. As
The winter season lasts a long time, and the they go through the process of photosynthesis
weather is icy cold. Storms are severe, bringing to make their food, green plants “breathe” out
biting cold winds. Summers never get very oxygen into the air. Since taiga ecosystems have
warm, and the summer season is exceptionally so many trees, they help make up for areas with
short. There isn’t much precipitation in a taiga less vegetation, like the desert.
ecosystem. When moisture does fall, it usually Taiga ecosystems cover large areas of North
comes in the form of dry, America, Europe, and Asia.
powdery snow. A good example of a taiga
Living in the extreme ecosystem in the United States
conditions of a taiga is the state of Alaska.
ecosystem takes a special People living and working
kind of organism. Some in taiga regions often disrupt
common animals you could the natural balance. Activities
find in the area are moose, such as hunting, trapping
wolves, and deer. Each and fishing affect the animal
population must adapt to populations, sometimes
the severe conditions. Short, thinning them to the point that
View near the Denali Highway
stubby grass and shrubs grow they are endangered. Mining
in Alaska
in taiga regions, but they for oil and gas, and harvesting
are better known for their trees does irreparable damage,
beautiful evergreen trees. All the trees you think destroying animal habitats and robbing the Earth
of when you imagine kinds of Christmas trees are of important oxygen sources. Even tourism can
at home in the taiga. Pines, firs, and spruce trees be damaging, as many tourists do not respect
are common. The thin, waxy leaves (sometimes wildlife and plants, being willing to sacrifice
called needles) of evergreen trees hold in water them for developed recreational areas. Of course
all year round. They also do not freeze easily, people have the right to use natural resources,
even when the temperatures drop down low. Like but they must do it in a way that makes resources
all green plants, the trees of the taiga region are renewable and does not harm the environment.

What Is It?
According to this text, what is a taiga ecosystem?

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Copyright © 2012 K12reader.com. All Rights Reserved. Free for educational use at home or in classrooms. www.k12reader.com
 ❅ ❆ ❄ ❅
Name: ___________________________________
❆ ❅ ❄
❆ ❅ ❄
❅ ❆ ❄ Taiga Ecosystems ❅ ❆ ❄
The weather is very cold in taiga ecosystems. an important source of oxygen for our planet. As
The winter season lasts a long time, and the they go through the process of photosynthesis
weather is icy cold. Storms are severe, bringing to make their food, green plants “breathe” out
biting cold winds. Summers never get very oxygen into the air. Since taiga ecosystems have
warm, and the summer season is exceptionally so many trees, they help make up for areas with
short. There isn’t much precipitation in a taiga less vegetation, like the desert.
ecosystem. When moisture does fall, it usually Taiga ecosystems cover large areas of North
comes in the form of dry, America, Europe, and Asia.
powdery snow. A good example of a taiga
Living in the extreme ecosystem in the United States
conditions of a taiga is the state of Alaska.
ecosystem takes a special People living and working
kind of organism. Some in taiga regions often disrupt
common animals you could the natural balance. Activities
find in the area are moose, such as hunting, trapping
wolves, and deer. Each and fishing affect the animal
population must adapt to populations, sometimes
the severe conditions. Short, thinning them to the point that
View near the Denali Highway
stubby grass and shrubs grow they are endangered. Mining
in Alaska
in taiga regions, but they for oil and gas, and harvesting
are better known for their trees does irreparable damage,
beautiful evergreen trees. All the trees you think destroying animal habitats and robbing the Earth
of when you imagine kinds of Christmas trees are of important oxygen sources. Even tourism can
at home in the taiga. Pines, firs, and spruce trees be damaging, as many tourists do not respect
are common. The thin, waxy leaves (sometimes wildlife and plants, being willing to sacrifice
called needles) of evergreen trees hold in water them for developed recreational areas. Of course
all year round. They also do not freeze easily, people have the right to use natural resources,
even when the temperatures drop down low. Like but they must do it in a way that makes resources
all green plants, the trees of the taiga region are renewable and does not harm the environment.

What Is It?
According to this text, what is a taiga ecosystem?

Sample of a correct answer; actual answers will vary:

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A taiga ecosystem is one where it is very cold for a very long time. There are severe storms
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with strong winds. Summer is very short, and it is not very warm. The precipitation in a taiga
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ecosystem is usually in the form of light, powdery snow.
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Copyright © 2012 K12reader.com. All Rights Reserved. Free for educational use at home or in classrooms. www.k12reader.com