Coniferous forest

Biology AS Level AQA Nature

1. Coniferous forests and Biodiversity

2. Coniferous forest regions have cold, long, snowy winters, and warm, humid summers; well-defined seasons, at least four to six frost-free months

3. Biodiversity Refers to the number and variety of living organisms in a particular area. It has 3 main areas: Species diversity. Genetic Diversity. Ecosystem Diversity.

4. Species diversity Refers to the number of different species and the number of individuals of each species within any one community.

5. THE VARIETY OF SPECIES THAT LIVE IN CONIFEROUS FORESTS...

6. Plant Species Diversity in Coniferous Forests Coniferous forests are made up mainly of cone-bearing or coniferous trees, such as spruces, hemlocks, pines and firs. The leaves of these trees are either small and needle-like or scale-like and most stay green all year around (evergreen). All are softwoods and are able to survive cold temperatures and acidic soil. Coniferous forests are found mainly in the northern hemisphere, although some are found in the southern hemisphere.

7. Spruce Tree A spruce is a tree of the genus Picea, a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. 

8. Hemlock Tree The species are all adapted to (and are confined to) relatively moist cool temperate areas with high rainfall, cool summers, and little or no water stress. They are also adapted to cope with heavy to very heavy winter snowfall and tolerate ice storms better than most other trees.  Hemlock trees are more tolerant of heavy shade than other conifers; hemlocks are, however, more susceptible to drought.

9. Pine Tree Pines are conifer trees in the genus Pinus, in the family Pinaceae. They are the only genus in the subfamily Pinoideae.

10. Douglas Fir Tree Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range

11. Animal Species Diversity in Coniferous Forests. Though the Coniferous forests have fewer animal species than other forests, they are home to several different animals. Amphibians and reptiles are rare. Birds, insects and mammals are common. Not many animals can live in this habitat year-round. (Animals deal with the hardship of cold, long winters) Some of the animals hibernate during the winter; while others migrate to warmer climates. Of those that stay during winter, some die from starvation, frostbite and hypothermia.

12. Bald Eagle's build large stick nests (sometimes weighing over 1 ton) that are usually about 6 feet in diameter and over 6 feet tall! The tall trees of the coniferous forest make them ideal for nests. Bald Eagles

13. Kermode is the special name given to black bears that have white claws and cream coloured coats. Kermode bears are found only in a narrow stretch of land along the coast of British Columbia and on the Princess Royal Islands which have many coniferous forests. Kermode Bear

14.  For this species of snake there is usually a "Y" or a "V" mark on the head and neck region. The Eastern Milk snake is also called Adder, House snake, and Barn snake. Eastern Milk Snake

15. Found from Alaska across Canada, down the Northern Rocky Mountains, and northern Minnesota. This owl is also found in northern Europe and the Soviet Union. The Great Grey feeds primarily on small rodents, which it catches in winter by diving through the snow. Great Grey Owl

16. It is estimated that only 360 to 406 Siberian Tigers still exist in the wild. The primary prey of the Siberian tiger is elk and wild boar. Siberian tigers are the largest of the tiger subspecies. The extra folds of skin on the belly of the Siberian Tiger allow it to be kicked by prey with less danger of injury. Siberian Tiger

17. Species Diversity may have to be calculated... D = diversity index N = total number of organisms of all species found n = number of individuals of a particular species

18. Genetic diversity Refers to the variety of genes possessed by the individuals that make up any one species.

19. Ecosystem Diversity Refers to the range of habitats within a particular area.

20. Ecosystem diversity… Biodiversity reflects how well an ecosystem functions. The higher the species diversity index, the more stable an ecosystem usually is and the less it is affected by climate change. There is a high species diversity index in coniferous forests and therefore the ecosystem is more stable.

21. Human impact on biodiversity... Comes in 2 main forms: Deforestation. Agriculture. Both reduce biodiversity.

22. Human impact on diversity in coniferous forests Logging may worsen global warming and destroy the habitat of some animals. Coniferous trees provide a habitat for many animals, from squirrels, to woodpeckers. When trees are cut down, animals are sometimes killed in the process, and others are forced to leave their homes. Some of these animals do not have a new home to go to, and their existence may be threatened. 

23. Spotted Owls Spotted Owls are a great example of this. The Northern Spotted Owl lives in the holes of old growth trees. When too many of these trees are cut down, the bird has nowhere to go, and their nests ( and any eggs in the nest) are lost. Because of logging, the habitat of the Northern Spotted Owl is threatened and the bird has become an endangered species. 

24. Because of logging... CONIFEROUS FORESTS ARE LOSING SPECIES DIVERSITY AND OVERALL BIODIVERSITY .

25. SUPPORT WWF!