Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve - Forests

The predominent forest type in Yukon-Charley National Preserve is the taiga. The term "taiga" is from Russian and means "tiny sticks." Most of the forested area in the preserve is comprised of willow, alder, birch, and spruce trees. Within the spruce trees, two sub-species dominate, black spruce and white spruce. The scraggly black spruce grows in areas with a high incidence of permafrost whereas the larger and more elegant white spruce grow on south facing, well drained areas with little or no permafrost.

Willows and alders grow in abundance along the waterways as well as areas disturbed by historic mining operations. These also provide habitat for many bird species found within the preserve as well as browse for moose.