Many plant species are found in the Taiga, with coniferous trees being the dominant plant form . In addition, numerous animal species are found in this coniferous forests. Recently, like many parts of the world, the Boreal Forrest, also know as Taiga, is suffering from the side effects of pollution. We found that some of the main sources of pollution in the Boreal Forrest are global warming and oil and natural gas reserves. This page will inform you on the aspects of these two main sources of pollution.
Sources of pollution 1: Oil And Natural Gas Reserves
Where is it coming from?
Perhaps the biggest threat to the boreal forest today is exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves. From Alaska to Canada to Russia, it is estimated that vast amounts of petroleum products lie in and under these forests. Because of some real world situations such as increased instability in the Middle East, more effective technology for working in the cold, and the high demand for fossil fuels, humans are pushing exploration and development deeper and deeper into areas that were once thought to be impossible to exploit and develop. This is clearly a main factor for the current and increasing pollution found in the Taiga.
What is happening and what effects will it have?
First, it is not clear whether the slow-growing coniferous forests can recover. While some species can re-populate and some organisms can continue to grow, much of the biome has been put at risk. Air pollution takes many forms and the Province of British Columbia, Canada, is now a major source of natural gas. Because of this the number of gas wells is rapidly increasing. Many of these wells have quantities of ‘sour gas’ or gas with significant amounts of hydrogen sulphide. If gas is handled properly and efficiently, few pollutants escape other than carbon dioxide. Unfortunately it is evident that a wide range of pollutants escaping. These chemical mixtures and makeups can damage nearby areas. Already we know that some effects of this can be that lichens appear particularly sensitive and also extensive situations where trees have been damaged. While leaks from a single site might not cause a big impact, problems are likely to build up as many thousands of wells are giving off pollution. Additionally, Extensive forest damage, putting all biotic and abiotic componets at risk, could occur as a result of the pollution given off from oil and gas reserves in the province of Alberta, Canada. From the animals to the plants, save the forest!
Sources of pollution 2: Global Warming
Where is it coming from?
Perhaps one of the most serious threats to the boreal forrest, or taiga, is global warming. Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its projected continuation. Since the early 20th century, Earth's average surface temperature has been continuosly increasing with about two-thirds of the increase occurring since 1980. Warming of the climate system is unequal, and scientists are certain that it is primarily caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, which both occur inside the boreal forrest.
What effects will it have?
As the planet continues to warm the southern reaches of the boreal forest, it could, and will, become warm enough for deciduous trees to outcompete the conifers and replace the current ones. Global warming is causing a dramatic climate change and increasing the number of natural disastrous storms and Earth's sea levels. Also, there is some evidence to suggest that additional carbon dioxide and methane, both greenhouse gasses, will be liberated from warmer tundra and taiga soils as the built up detritus of thousands of years is finally free to decompose. This additional release of greenhouse gasses could accelerate global warming even further. Clearly global warming is a major threat to not only Taiga, but also the whole world and everything in it.
Sources of pollution 1: Oil And Natural Gas Reserves
Where is it coming from?
Perhaps the biggest threat to the boreal forest today is exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves. From Alaska to Canada to Russia, it is estimated that vast amounts of petroleum products lie in and under these forests. Because of some real world situations such as increased instability in the Middle East, more effective technology for working in the cold, and the high demand for fossil fuels, humans are pushing exploration and development deeper and deeper into areas that were once thought to be impossible to exploit and develop. This is clearly a main factor for the current and increasing pollution found in the Taiga.
What is happening and what effects will it have?
First, it is not clear whether the slow-growing coniferous forests can recover. While some species can re-populate and some organisms can continue to grow, much of the biome has been put at risk. Air pollution takes many forms and the Province of British Columbia, Canada, is now a major source of natural gas. Because of this the number of gas wells is rapidly increasing. Many of these wells have quantities of ‘sour gas’ or gas with significant amounts of hydrogen sulphide. If gas is handled properly and efficiently, few pollutants escape other than carbon dioxide. Unfortunately it is evident that a wide range of pollutants escaping. These chemical mixtures and makeups can damage nearby areas. Already we know that some effects of this can be that lichens appear particularly sensitive and also extensive situations where trees have been damaged. While leaks from a single site might not cause a big impact, problems are likely to build up as many thousands of wells are giving off pollution. Additionally, Extensive forest damage, putting all biotic and abiotic componets at risk, could occur as a result of the pollution given off from oil and gas reserves in the province of Alberta, Canada. From the animals to the plants, save the forest!
Sources of pollution 2: Global Warming
Where is it coming from?
Perhaps one of the most serious threats to the boreal forrest, or taiga, is global warming. Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its projected continuation. Since the early 20th century, Earth's average surface temperature has been continuosly increasing with about two-thirds of the increase occurring since 1980. Warming of the climate system is unequal, and scientists are certain that it is primarily caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, which both occur inside the boreal forrest.
What effects will it have?
As the planet continues to warm the southern reaches of the boreal forest, it could, and will, become warm enough for deciduous trees to outcompete the conifers and replace the current ones. Global warming is causing a dramatic climate change and increasing the number of natural disastrous storms and Earth's sea levels. Also, there is some evidence to suggest that additional carbon dioxide and methane, both greenhouse gasses, will be liberated from warmer tundra and taiga soils as the built up detritus of thousands of years is finally free to decompose. This additional release of greenhouse gasses could accelerate global warming even further. Clearly global warming is a major threat to not only Taiga, but also the whole world and everything in it.