TAIGA

The taiga is characterized by a climate of long, severe winters, and a constant cover of snow and short, cool summers. The vegetation is dominated by conifers such as spruce, fir, and hemlock. Characteristic animals are elk, moose, mule deer, black bears, and grizzly bears. The taiga occurs in the northern reaches of North America and Eurasia.
The taiga is also sometimes referred to as boreal forest or northern coniferous forest. Taiga-like vegetation occurs on the upper elevations of mountain ranges.