Chapter 9Forest 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