Bird community dynamics in boreal forests

  • Pekka Helle
  • Gerald J. Niemi
Chapter
Part of the Conservation Biology book series (COBI, volume 6)

Abstract

The northern boreal forest, taiga, is one of the largest biomes of the globe. The biome covers a belt 1000–2000 km wide around the northern hemisphere and is situated between the latitudes of 50 and 70°N. In a few areas the boreal forest extends north of the Arctic Circle (restricted areas in Fennoscandia, Siberia, Alaska and northwestern Canada). Although taiga may be considered relatively uniform, there is marked variation due to climatic differences. This has resulted in various subdivisions of the boreal zone (e.g. Hare, 1954). The yearly mean temperature is about 0°C; winter is long and cold, and the environment is highly seasonal.

Keywords

North America Boreal Forest Bird Community Vegetation Height Forest Succession 
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© Chapman & Hall 1996

Authors and Affiliations

  • Pekka Helle
  • Gerald J. Niemi

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