Threats
The biodiversity of the Boreal Forest can be threatened by the following:
- Oil and Gas
- Forestry
- Mining
- Hydroelectric Development
Primary Production
Primary productivity (the rate at which photosynthesis occurs) of boreal forest ecosystems often is limited by cold soil temperatures (see above Environmental conditions: Soils). Net annual primary production (the total amount of productivity less that used by photosynthetic organisms in cellular respiration) in boreal forest types varies greatly, from slightly more than 2 metric tons per hectare near the polar tree limit to about 10 metric tons per hectare along its southern margin. Boreal forests are estimated to contain about 18 percent of the Earth’s total biomass (the dry weight of organic matter).
Food Chains
Food Web
Species Examples
Roles |
Keystone SpeciesSpecies that have a significant impact on the environment according to its population. These species play a role in the Boreal Forest by determining the amount of impact by the number of these species remaining.
Endangered SpeciesSpecies that are extremely at risk of extinction due to destruction of its habitats, hunting, disease, or other causes. These species play a role in the Boreal Forest by determining what species need to be carefully protected if they want to avoid extinction.
Endemic SpeciesSpecies that can only grow, survive, and reproduce in an environment that is considered "unique" to them. These species play a role in the Boreal Forest by determining the special area these species are in and help protect them from being killed.
Invasive SpeciesSpecies that grow in areas other than their naturally designated areas and cause sever economic, environmental, and ecological impact. These species play a role in the Boreal Forest by determining what impact they are causing and designate a limited area to limit it.
Threatened SpeciesSpecies that are at risk of being endangered if their populations continue to decline. These species play a role in the Boreal Forest by determining their population number so they can be protected to avoid being endangered.
Generalist SpeciesSpecies that can have the ability to adapt and survive in a wide range of environments. These species play a role in the Boreal Forest by determining what different factors in the environments the species are able to survive such as climate, diet, habitat, and more.
Specialist SpeciesSpecies that can only adapt and survive in a limited range of environments and may have a limited diet. These species play a role in the Boreal Forest by determining the environments the species can only live in and if changes are affecting their development.
Foundation SpeciesSpecies that plays a significant role in a developing species community. These species play a role in the Boreal Forest by determining the environmental impact to a community more easily by a single specie instead of multiple species all at once.
Indicator SpeciesSpecies that defines a certain aspect of its environment and can be severely impacted if that aspect were to change. These species play a role in the Boreal Forest by determining the wide range of impact to an environment according to the population of these species.
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