Section 9.1 Coniferous Forest Chapter 9 Forest Biomes Section 9.1 Coniferous Forest

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

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

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?

Coniferous Forest

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

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

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

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

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

Coniferous Animals Predators- grizzly bears, wolves, & lynxes

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

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