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New
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Year 10
Edexcel B

Causes of biodiversity loss in the taiga biome

I can describe how acid precipitation, forest fires and pests and diseases contribute to a loss of biodiversity in the taiga.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Causes of biodiversity loss in the taiga biome

I can describe how acid precipitation, forest fires and pests and diseases contribute to a loss of biodiversity in the taiga.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The taiga is vulnerable to biodiversity loss.
  2. The taiga is experiencing a loss of biodiversity.
  3. Acid precipitation is contributing to a loss of biodiversity.
  4. Forest fires and pests and diseases are contributing to a loss of biodiversity.

Keywords

  • Biodiversity - a measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem

  • Habitat - the natural place where a plant or animal lives and grows

  • Climate change - long-term changes in temperature, weather patterns and atmospheric conditions resulting from human activities like burning fossil fuels

Common misconception

All wildfires in the taiga are harmful and should be prevented.

Some wildfires are natural and necessary for ecosystem renewal, as they clear old vegetation and help new trees grow. However, climate change has made fires more intense and frequent.


To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Causes of biodiversity loss in the taiga biome, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

GIS can be used to create detailed maps of areas affected by pests like the mountain pine beetle.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is biodiversity?
The total number of trees in a forest
The speed at which plants grow
The temperature of a habitat
Correct answer: The number of different species in an ecosystem
Q2.
What is the taiga biome?
A tropical rainforest
Correct answer: A cold forest found in high latitudes
A hot desert
A grassland
Q3.
What type of trees dominate the taiga?
Deciduous trees
Mangrove trees
Oak trees
Correct answer: Evergreen coniferous trees
Q4.
Which of the following is a common climate characteristic of the taiga?
Hot summers and warm winters
Mild temperatures year-round
Correct answer: Long, cold winters and short, cool summers
Heavy rainfall all year
Q5.
How do animals in the taiga adapt to the cold?
They only come out in summer
They shrink in size
They stop eating
Correct answer: They grow thick fur or feathers
Q6.
Why is biodiversity lower in the taiga than in tropical rainforests?
The soil is too rich
Correct answer: The cold climate and short growing season limit species
There is too much sunlight
Animals cannot survive in forests

4 Questions

Q1.
What is a major threat to biodiversity in the taiga?
Rising sea levels
Hurricanes
Correct answer: Deforestation for logging and mining
Volcanic eruptions
Q2.
How do evergreen trees in the taiga survive cold winters?
They lose all their leaves in winter
Correct answer: They have needle-like leaves to reduce water loss
They grow faster in winter
They store water in large leaves
Q3.
How can wildfires contribute to ecosystem renewal in the taiga?
They destroy all plant and animal life permanently
Correct answer: They clear old vegetation, allowing new plants to grow
They make the soil infertile and unsuitable for regrowth
They prevent any trees from growing back
Q4.
How does climate change threaten biodiversity in the taiga?
It creates more rivers
Correct answer: It disrupts ecosystems by making the taiga warmer
It increases food availability
It brings more animals to the taiga

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