Coniferous Forests

Question 1

What is a coniferous forest?

Answer 1

A forest containing cone-bearing trees or evergreen conifers. They cover a large portion of the Earth.

Question 2

What are the seasons like in a coniferous forest?

Answer 2

Summer: Very warm and short.
Winter: Very cold and long. Most animals migrate to warmer places during this time of year.

Question 3

Name 3 animals that live in coniferous forests.

Answer 3

Wolf, bear, owl.

Question 4

Why do so few reptiles live in coniferous forests?

Answer 4

It is really cold in winter and they are unable to heat themselves up.

Question 5

Name 5 adaptions of animals who live in coniferous forests.

Answer 5

1. Some animals hibernate.
2. Some animals collect and store food in summer to eat in the winter.
3. Thick fur keeps them warm.
4. White coats in winter keeps them camouflaged.
5. A thick layer of fat also helps keep them warm.

Question 6

What do temperatures range . in a coniferous forest during the summer and the winter?

Answer 6

Summer= about 20°C 
Winter= down to -40°C!!

Question 7

In what months does rain fall in the coniferous forests?

Answer 7

June, July and August.

Question 8

What kind of trees are mainly found in a coniferous forest?

Answer 8

Conifers

Question 9

Name 4 adaptions of trees/plants in a coniferous forest.

Answer 9

1. Sloping branches to help slide the snow off the the branches without breaking.
2. Shallow roots in order to get nutrients above the frozen ground lower down.
3. Pine leaves are needle-like and covered with a waxy surface that helps keep water in.
4. Trees do not bear flowers, instead they have cones. Seeds form in the scales of the cone, which protects them from the cold.

Question 10

What does most precipitation take place as in a coniferous forest?

Answer 10

Snow

Question 11

What does logging in a coniferous forest mean?

Answer 11

Chopping down trees to use for construction and paper.

Question 12

How does logging effect animals and the environment? (4 points)

Answer 12

• Animals lose their homes
• Sawmills and paper mills pollute the air
• Soil is left bare and this causes erosion
• Trees can be replanted, but take centuries to grow back.

Question 13

What can we do to help animals and the environment when people cut down trees? (5 points)

Answer 13

• Recycle
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Use technology
• Use less paper