How do trees in the taiga protect themselves from fire?

The trees in the taiga have thick bark that protects them from low-heat wildfires. Mild fires often burn away sick trees and allow new growth. They also burn the canopy of the trees and allow sunlight to pass and reach the ground.

Most broad-leafed trees can sprout and grow again from undamaged tree trunks and roots. Coniferous trees have needle-like leaves, but they cannot resprout as broad-leafed trees. They do have cones high up in the canopy, which open when exposed to fire or heat. The cone drops its seeds on the ground, reproducing on and reseeding the forest floor. Animals that could not thrive previously in the taiga due to the scarcity of food feed on the newly growing plants.