Understanding the Coniferous Forest Ecosystem
The Coniferous Forest, characterized by its conifer trees, plays a vital role in the ecosystem. These trees, such as pines and larches, have needle-like leaves that conserve water, making them well-suited for their environment. Supporting a diverse herbivore population, many animals adapt to harsh winters through migration or hibernation. Human activities, including logging, severely impact these forests, leading to ecological imbalances. Conservation efforts are essential to protect this critical habitat. Simple actions like reducing car use and mindful camping can contribute to preserving the coniferous woodlands.
Understanding the Coniferous Forest Ecosystem
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Presentation Transcript
The Coniferous Forest By Rose Pidgorodetska
Background Information The Coniferous Forest is a forest of Conifers. A Conifer is a tree that produces its seeds in cones: a Pine tree. Conifer leaves conserve water with the thick, waxy layer that covers their leaves, also known as needles. The vegetation in the Coniferous forest is small in size, but large enough to feed the vast herbivore population. Most of these animals survive the brutal winters by migrating or hibernating.
Rainfall • Average Annual Rainfall- 14-29.5 in. • Average Temperatures in the Summer- 57.2°F • Average Temperatures in the Winter- 14°F
Producers Poison Ivy Ferns Balsam Fir Tree Larch trees Columbines
Primary Consumers croton waxwing chestnut backed chickadee Elk Moose red squirrel peromani
Secondary Consumers European Pine Marten croton waxwing Great Grey Owl Endangered Animals: *Grizzly Bear *Spotted Owl *Woodland Caribou *Siberian Tiger *Siberian Crane Red Fox
How humans affect the Coniferous Forest Humans cut down most large trees to supply lumber for Americas housing. This changed forest eco systems by removing the canopy and allowing much more sunlight to reach forest floor. It gave brush a growth spurt and took away from plants that liked dark places like mushrooms and likens. People are clear cutting/logging which is destroying the Coniferous forest. In Canada, one acre of forest is cut every 12.9 seconds!
What’s being done to Protect? • There are many things you can do to protect the coniferous forest like drive your car less, be careful when camping, never throw cigarettes outside your car window, and reusing paper products but there is nothing being done to protect the forest.
Sources • http://rrms-biomes.tripod.com/id3.html • http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/bioconiferous.php • http://kingdominique.be/notepro/coniferous-forest-food-web • http://inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/coniferous/c_forest.htm
