a subarctic, coniferous forest that is typically of open, slow-growing spruces, interspersed with bogs, and characteristic of Europe, Asia, and North America —note taiga forms a transition zone between the denser, boreal forests to the south and the tundra to the north and has a vegetation pattern that is closely related to the presence of permafrost and to fire history —see boreal, tundraThis definition last updated 10/29/2008