1. Section 9.1 Coniferous Forest
Chapter 9 Forest Biomes
Section 9.1
Coniferous Forest

2. Coniferous Forest
Location: sub-arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia
Summers: warm & last 2-5 months
Winters: long, cold, dry, little sunlight

3. Coniferous Forest Precipitation: 40-200cm per year
Rain during summer & snow during winter

4. Coniferous Forest Coniferous means “cone-bearing”
Conifers (coniferous trees) are trees that produce seed cones
Trees have needles instead of leaves
What do you think the needles do?

5. Coniferous Forest

6. Coniferous Trees Pine, hemlock, spruce, fir, & cedar
Broadleaf trees- aspen & birch
Not a diverse biome
Soil is poor & acidic because needles are acidic & decompose slowly

7. Coniferous Forest
Limiting factors: harsh winters & nutrient-poor soils
Also present are ferns, lichens, and sphagnum moss

9. Coniferous Forest Heavy winter snow is important
Acts as an insulator to keep the roots from freezing
Gives rodents a chance to survive instead of freezing underground

10. Coniferous Forest
Adaptations of animals- herbivores are seed eaters, such as mice, squirrels, rodents, & birds
Insects are common during the summer- soil is moist and poorly drained

11. Coniferous Animals
Herbivores- moose, elk, beaver, & snowshoe hares- feed on bark & plants

13. Coniferous Animals
Predators- grizzly bears, wolves, & lynxes

14. Animal Adaptations Migrate, hibernate, or live under snow
Thick body coverings to protect them from the cold

15. REVIEW!!! What characterizes a coniferous forest?
Explain several adaptations that enable organisms in coniferous forests to live through harsh winters