Taiga (Boreal Forest)

The largest terrestrial biome, circling the Northern Hemisphere/Forests

The taiga, or boreal forest, is the world's largest land biome, forming a vast belt of coniferous forest across Russia, Canada, Alaska, and Scandinavia. It covers approximately 17 million square kilometers, representing about 29% of the world's total forest area. The taiga is dominated by cold-hardy species like spruce, pine, and larch. Winter temperatures can reach -50 degrees C, with only 50-100 frost-free days per year. The taiga stores more carbon in its soils and peatlands than all the world's tropical rainforests combined.