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Description of a Coniferous Forest

A coniferous forest, often also referred to as a boreal forest or taiga, is the largest terrestrial habitat on earth, covering about 15 percent of its land surface. A coniferous forest is home to a few plants and animals, and its features include evergreen trees and well-defined seasons. The forest gets its name from the kind of trees that are present, called conifers, or trees that bear needles instead of leaves.

Location
- Coniferous forests are located between the tundra biome to the north and the deciduous biome to the south. A biome is a type of habitat and is determined by the climate. Coniferous forests are the largest biome in the world and extend over Eurasia and North America. The northern boreal forest is located at about 50 to 60 degrees latitude north, and more temperate coniferous forests are present in lower latitudes, typically in high mountain elevations.
Climate
- Coniferous forests see a couple of distinct seasons. The winters are very cold with snow, and the summers, which last about four to six months, are very moist and hot. There is more precipitation during the summer months. The average temperature in the winter is below freezing, ranging from -65 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures range from 20 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Animals and Plants
- There are not as many plant and animal species in coniferous forests as there are in deciduous and tropical biomes because of the harsh conditions. Coniferous trees bear needles all year long, and they survive in both the cold and hot weather. The trees are tall and sturdy. Sequoias, the largest life form on earth, are present in the coniferous forest on the northern California coast. Arctic animals, like the fox, hare and wolf, can be found in this biome as well. These forests are also home to animals, including the caribou, reindeer, deer, snowy owl, red-tailed hawk, musk ox, moose, husky, dall sheep and brown bear.
Threats
- Wildfires are a problem in coniferous forests, but the trees have thick bark to adapt to this threat. Fires still burn the upper canopy of the forests, which allows sunlight to reach the ground and other plants grow in the space. Logging is another threat to the coniferous forest. The loggers tend to replant only one type of species, which hurts biodiversity. Soil erosion is accelerated, and settling by humans has increased the amount of pollutants in the air, which leads to acid rain as well as loss of animal habitats.

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