The Coniferous Forest can also be called the Taiga or Boreal Forest.
Climate
- Average Rainfall - Min: 12", Max: 33" annually
- Winter's Climate Average - Min: -65 degrees F, Max: 30 degrees F
- Summer's Climate Average - Min: 30 degrees F, Max: 70 degrees F
The main seasons in the Taiga are Summer and Winter. The Spring and Autumn exist, but it is hardly noticeable, because it passes so quickly. It is normally either very hot or very cold, and it is very rare that it's in between.
Net Primary Productivity
The Net Primary Productivity is the lowest out of all forests, including the Tropical Rain forest and the Deciduous Temperate Forest, but is higher than Desert and Tundra biomes. This means that Coniferous forests tend to have less carbon uptake than other biomes like it. The Taiga has less than 120 days in growing season, due to cold temperatures in the winter. Rainfall is on lower side when it comes to biomes similar to itself. The Taiga is one of the largest biome and is located between 50 degrees latitude north and the Arctic Circle. Boreal Forests are pretty diverse with many different plants and animals that call it home.
Soil Quality
The soil in Boreal Forests is not very fertile. This is not ideal for farming, but plants that typically grow in the Taiga adapt fine. Trees, such as Conifers live and thrive on nutrient-poor soil, making them very well suited for the environment.
Invasive and Endangered
Invasive Muskrats
Muskrats are originally from North America, but were brought over to Europe in the 20th century. They could have been brought over for a number of reasons, but the most promising is that the Muskrat was brought over on purpose, due to increasing fur values. The Muskrat is a semi-aquatic rodent. They are invasive for many reasons, including rapid growth of their population and their ability to get away from predators, by burrowing underwater. Although, there are so many Muskrats, they impact the environment negatively. They often damage watercourse embankment and consume valuable crops.
Endangered Lady Slipper Orchids
The Lady Slipper Orchid, or otherwise known as Cypripedium is endangered in Boreal Forests. The Lady Slipper Orchid can be found all over the world, but is most commonly found in the Taiga and in cooler climates. These flowers tend to grow and live on the bases of trees. They feed off of dead leaves and matter. The endangerment of Cypripedium is caused by deforestation in Boreal Forests. The less trees, the less Orchids.
Animals in the Coniferous Forest
Plants in the Coniferous Forest
Bilberry Bush
The Bilberry Bush is native to Europe, where as the Blueberry Bush is native to North America, although, the two are very alike. Bilberry Bushes survive in nutrient-poor soil, making it ideal for them to grow in Coniferous Forests. The Bilberry can be eaten raw or made with other things.
Credits:
Created with images by Nicholas_T - "Rosecrans Falls (1)" • USFWS Mountain Prairie - "Muskrat on Seedskadee NWR" • cluczkow - "lady's slipper" • DanielBrachlow - "animal nature wild" • tpsdave - "short-tailed weasel animal weasel" • amandarichard421 - "IMG_0961e" • callocx - "Scots Pine" • animusclaro1 - "bilberry" • Horia Varlan - "Green Norway Spruce tree tops onto clear blue sky"