Biomes

What is a biome?  A biome is the largest subdivision of the biosphere - a thin layer containing the land, water, and atmosphere, in which all life exists. Biomes are comprised of various ecosystems that have similar biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.  There are two distinct biomes that are present in the Canadian Cordillera: boreal forests, and temperate rainforests.  

Boreal forests make up a great majority of the Canadian Cordillera and are commonly found in the northern hemisphere.  Plants that grow in these boreal forests are adapted to survive in environments with cold temperatures, low precipitation levels, and nutrient-poor soil.  As such, most of the forests in this region are comprised of coniferous (or cone-bearing) trees.  The elevation of the forest will determine the types of coniferous trees found in that environment.  Douglas firs, lodge pole pine, and ponderosa pine trees are commonly found at lower altitudes, while alpine fir and white spruce trees are found at higher altitudes (Bernhardt, Torsten).  Sage brush is also common in the boreal forests of the Canadian Cordillera, as it is well adapted to live in a harsh environment.

If the Canadian Cordillera is comprised of boreal forests, where does that leave room for temperate rainforests?  Temperate rainforests are found along the Pacific Coast of British Columbia, where the high mountains trap the precipitation carried in the warm ocean winds, dumping the precipitation on the windward side of the mountains (Sandner, Lionel et al. 23).  This provides a superb environment for vegetation such as Sitka spruce and red cedar trees, which are often covered in mosses and lichens due to the moisture in the air.  The temperate rainforest biome stands in stark contrast with the boreal forest biome, as the former has warm temperatures and high, annual precipitation levels, while the latter is, more often than not, cold and dry.  It is truly remarkable that both biomes can be found within the Canadian Cordillera.

Works Cited:

Bernhardt, Torsten. "Montane Cordillera." Canadian Biodiversity. Web. 3 Mar. 2011. <http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/ecozones/montanecordillera/montanecordillera.htm>

Sandner, Lionel et al. BC Science 10. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2008. Print.

Pictures taken by Denver Hutchinson