Final answer:
With global warming, the taiga biome may be replaced by temperate forests and grasslands due to warmer conditions. The taiga plays a significant role in carbon storage and climate regulation, facing threats from both climate change and human activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
If global warming continues at its present rate, approximately 1°C/century, it is projected that the taiga biome, known for its evergreen forests in the subarctic regions, might experience a significant shift. The warmer and potentially drier climate conditions could lead to an increased occurrence of forest fires, thus jeopardizing this biome. The biomes that may take the place of the taiga include more temperate forest types, as these are typically located just south of boreal forests and would expand northward as the climate warms and the taiga recedes. Additionally, if conditions become significantly drier, temperate grasslands could also spread into areas currently occupied by taiga.
The taiga, encompassing vast areas of northern North America and Eurasia, holds a significant amount of the Earth's terrestrial carbon storage and plays a crucial role in climate regulation. With climate change, however, this biome faces multiple threats, not only from increased temperatures but also from human activities such as mining and smelting, which can cause long-lasting damage to these ecosystems.