Coniferous Forests By, Kevin Donnelly and Tayeb Kenzari

Where are Coniferous Forests? Make up 15% of Earth’s surface Extend mostly over the northern hemisphere across all continents – Exist along the northern areas of North America, Europe, and Asia Often cover mountainsides – Covered by snow for most of the year Located south of the Tundra, but north of the Temperate Deciduous forests and Temperate Grasslands Trees produce seeds in cone form Only coniferous trees exist because their roots extend along upper levels of ground – Pine needles contain little sap so freezing is not a problem – Rocky, hard soil that roots cannot penetrate

Major Producers and Consumers Producers: – Trees – Shrubs and ferns – Grass and moss Primary Consumers: – Moose and Elk – Insects – Small birds – Rodents Secondary Consumers: – Large birds – Small mammals – Owls Tertiary Consumers: – Wolves and Lynxes

Natural Resources Dense forests (fir, pine, hemlock, spruce, birch) – act as huge carbon reservoirs – support many species of plants and animals – cut for timber and wood products Large rivers – used for hydro-power – support freshwater life Oil – drilled and extracted from ground for fuel Coal – mined and burned to generate electric power Precious Metals (gold, silver, platinum) – mined for value

Environmental Concerns – Clearcut logging causes loss of biodiversity causes soil erosion degrades wildlife Increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere – burning fossil fuels increase CO2 in atmosphere – cause temperatures to rise in coniferous forests Mining – chemicals used in mining harm environment – silt released harms environment Hunting – endangers species – causes species extinction Acid Rain- due to coal burning and air pollutants – pollutes soil – kills trees and vegetation

Santa Cruz Cypress Santa Cruz Mountains, California Listed as endangered since 1973 Can reach 30 feet in height Able to survive in nutrient- poor, often arid and rocky soils – This allows no other trees to encroach on the cypress Takes 10 years for cones to mature Fires allow cones to open and spread seeds If fires occur too frequently cones don’t mature enough to create seeds

Siberian Tiger Length: 13 feet, Weight: 700 pounds Top of food chain Habitat: Russian southeast coniferous forests Top of food chain Predominant Prey: Wild Boar, Red Deer Population in the wild is tigers Endangerment caused by poaching – habitat loss, logging, and over development Poached for fur and bones Tiger parts used in Chinese medicine – illegal but still common in China Species Survival Plan (SSP)-overseeing current program to breed Siberian Tigers in captivity – approximately 160 Siberian Tigers in the SS

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