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Coniferous Forests
Quick revise
These grow in the northern parts of North America, Europe and Asia in places a long way north of the equator. It is very cold in the winter and the growing season is very short. Soils are often thin and poor.
Vegetation
The forests are evergreen.
The coniferous trees (fir, pine, spruce) are similar in height, shape and size.
There are often only two or three species of tree in one area.
Very few other types of vegetation grow in the forest.
Soil
The soil profile of a coniferous forest is called a podsol
The soil has a humus layer just below the surface.
The A horizon is grey in colour as it has lost its minerals through leaching.
The B horizon is a reddish-brown colour as the minerals lost from the layers above are deposited here.
The C horizon consists of stones and rocks.
Adaptation
The vegetation in the forest make many adaptations due to the harsh, cold climate.
Tree characteristics are as follows;
- Conical shape - they are flexible and bend in strong winds
- Downward sloping branches - snow slides off them more quickly
- Evergreen - so that trees can grow as quick as possible in warm periods
- Needle leaves - to reduce the loss of water
- Thick bark - To protect the tree from severe cold
