Barrons AP Environmental Science

Figure  4.26    Northern    taiga   food    web

Major Environmental Threats

■ Increase  in  wildlife    in  some    areas   because of  drier   conditions  as  a   result  of

global  warming.

■ Some  areas   are experiencing    a   decrease    in  wildfires   due to  large-scale

clear-cutting,  which   reduces the amount  of  nutrients   returning   to  the soil.

■ Trees diseased    by  parasites.

■ Plantation    forestry    with    the introduction    of  foreign tree    species.

■ Gas   and oil exploration.

■ Road  building.

■ Animals   being   hunted  for fur.

■ An    increase    in  hydroelectric   power   plants.