Coniferous trees names. Coniferous forests What was a coniferous forest called in Rus'?

We can confidently call it “the lungs of the Earth”, because the state of the air, the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide depend on them. Rich reserves of timber and mineral deposits are concentrated here, many of which are being discovered to this day.

Location in Russia

The taiga spreads across our country in a wide strip. Coniferous forests occupy most of Siberia (Eastern, Western), the Urals, the Baikal region, Far East And Mountain Altai. The zone originates from western border Russia, it stretches to the coast Pacific Ocean- Seas of Japan and Okhotsk.

Coniferous forests of the taiga border on other climatic zones. In the north they are adjacent to the tundra, in the west - with In some cities of the country, there is an intersection of taiga with forest-steppe and mixed forests.

Location in Europe

Coniferous forests of the taiga cover not only Russia, but also some foreign countries. Among them are the countries of Canada. All over the world, taiga massifs occupy a vast territory and are considered the largest zone on the planet.

The extreme border of the biome with south side located on the island of Hokkaido (Japan). The northern side is limited by Taimyr. This location explains the leading position of the taiga in terms of length among other natural zones.

Climate

A large biome is located in two climatic zones- temperate and subarctic. This explains the variety of weather conditions in the taiga. The temperate climate provides warm summer. average temperature natural area in summer time year is 20 degrees above zero. Cold Arctic air causes sudden changes in temperature and affects taiga winters; the air here can cool to 45 degrees below zero. In addition, piercing winds are observed at all times of the year.

The coniferous forests of the taiga are different high humidity due to its location in marshy areas and low evaporation. In summer, most precipitation falls in the form of light and heavy rains. In winter there is a lot of snow - the thickness of its layer is 50-80 centimeters, it does not melt for 6-7 months. Permafrost is observed in Siberia.

Peculiarities

The largest, most extensive and rich natural zone is the taiga. Coniferous forests occupy fifteen million square kilometers land area of ​​the Earth! The width of the zone in the European part is 800 kilometers, in Siberia - more than 2 thousand kilometers.

The formation of taiga forests began in the last era, before the onset and However detailed analysis and the zone received its characteristics only in 1898 thanks to P.N. Krylov, who defined the concept of “taiga” and formulated its main characteristics.

The biome is especially rich in water bodies. Well-known ones originate here Russian rivers- Volga, Lena, Kama, Northern Dvina and others. The Yenisei and Ob taiga cross. The largest Russian reservoirs - Bratskoe, Rybinsk, Kama - are located in coniferous forests. In addition, in the taiga there are many groundwater, which explains the predominance of swamps (especially in Northern Siberia and Canada). Thanks to temperate climate and sufficient moisture, there is a rapid development of the plant world here.

Subzones of the taiga

The natural zone is divided into three subzones, which differ climatic features, flora and fauna.

• Northern. Characterized by a cold climate. There are harsh winters and cool summers. Huge areas of land are occupied by marshy areas. The forests are in most cases low-growing; small spruce and pine trees are observed.
• Average. Characterized by moderation. The climate is moderate - warm summers, cold but not frosty winters. Lots of swamps various types. High humidity. The trees are of normal height; mostly spruce and blueberry trees sprout.
• South. The most diverse animal life is observed here. vegetable world, coniferous forests. Taiga has an admixture of broad-leaved and small-leaved tree species. The climate is warm, characterized by hot summers, which last for almost four months. Reduced swampiness.

Types of forests

Depending on the vegetation, there are several types of taiga. The main ones are light conifers and dark coniferous forests. Along with trees, there are meadows that arose where forests were cleared.

• Light coniferous type. Mainly distributed in Siberia. Also found in other areas (Ural, Canada). Located in a sharply continental climatic zone, characterized by abundant rainfall and moderate weather conditions. One of the common types of trees is pine - a light-loving representative of the taiga. Such forests are spacious and bright. Larch is another commonly encountered species. The forests are even lighter than pine. Tree crowns are sparse, so in such “thickets” a feeling of open terrain is created.
• Dark coniferous type- most common in Northern Europe and mountain ranges (Alps, Altai Mountains, Carpathians). Its territory is located in a temperate and mountainous climate characterized by high humidity. Fir and spruce predominate here; juniper and dark coniferous pine are less common.

Vegetable world

Even at the beginning of the 19th century, no one shared natural areas, and their differences and features were not known. Fortunately, today geography has been studied in more detail and is available to everyone. necessary information. Coniferous forest of the taiga - trees, plants, shrubs... What is characteristic and interesting about the flora of this zone?

In forests there is weak or absent undergrowth, which is explained by insufficient light, especially in dark coniferous thickets. There is a monotony of moss - as a rule, only the green species can be found here. Shrubs grow - currants, junipers, and shrubs - lingonberries, blueberries.

The type of forest depends on climatic conditions. The western side of the taiga is characterized by the dominance of European and Siberian spruce. They sprout in mountainous areas spruce-fir forests. Clusters of larches extend to the east. The Okhotsk coast is rich in a variety of tree species. In addition to coniferous representatives, it also contains deciduous trees taiga. consist of aspen, alder, birch.

Taiga fauna

Animal world The coniferous forests of the taiga are diverse and unique. A wide variety of insects live here. Nowhere else are there so many fur-bearing animals, including ermine, sable, hare, and weasel. Climatic conditions favorable for sedentary animals, but unacceptable for cold-blooded creatures. Only a few species of amphibians and reptiles live in the taiga. Their low numbers are due to harsh winter. The remaining residents have adapted to the cold seasons. Some of them go into hibernation or suspended animation, and their vital activity is slowed down.

What animals live in coniferous forests? The taiga, where there is so much shelter for animals and an abundance of food, is characterized by the presence of predators such as lynx, Brown bear, wolf, fox. Ungulates live here - roe deer, bison, elk, deer. Rodents live on tree branches and under them - beavers, squirrels, mice, chipmunks.

Birds

More than 300 species of birds nest in the forest thickets. Particular diversity is observed in the eastern taiga - wood grouse, hazel grouse, some species of owls and woodpeckers live here. Forests are characterized by high humidity and numerous bodies of water, so they are especially widespread here. Some representatives of coniferous expanses have to migrate to winter period to the south, where living conditions are more favorable. Among them are the Siberian blackbird and the wood warbler.

Man in the taiga

Human activity does not always have a beneficial effect on the state of nature. Numerous fires caused by the carelessness and frivolity of people, deforestation and mining lead to a decrease in the number of forest fauna.

Picking berries, mushrooms, and nuts are typical activities popular among the local population, for which the autumn taiga is famous. Coniferous forests are the main supplier of wood resources. Here are largest deposits minerals (oil, gas, coal). Thanks to the hydrated and fertile soil, agriculture is developed in the southern regions. Breeding animals and hunting wild animals is common.

Today is Friday again, and again the guests are in the studio, spinning the drum and guessing the letters. The next episode of the capital show Field of Miracles is on our air and here is one of the questions in the game:

What was the coniferous forest called in the European part of Russia and the Urals? 11 letters

Correct answer - Krasnolesye

Since ancient times, our country was considered a country of forests. And for good reason: 45% of the territory falls on forest areas. The forest and human life are two links whose existence without each other is impossible. For a long time, the forest fed, clothed, warmed the Russian people, and saved them from enemies. And a special place has always belonged to the coniferous forest. In Rus', coniferous forests were called red forests. It owes this name due to the fact that all year round green, which means beautiful, red.

Red Forest... Listen to this word. It has everything: surprise, admiration and even reverence for a real work of nature - coniferous forest. It is truly red in all seasons, especially the pine forest with its reddish-golden, sun-lit trunks, solemnly rising into the heavenly blue. Greens and gold - how can you not appreciate this luxury, born in the harsh northern region. And our ancestors loved and appreciated the red forest, involuntarily contrasting it with black forest - a deciduous forest that loses its leaves in the winter and becomes faceless, dark, black. Black Forest was also usually considered the refuge of black, evil spirits: precisely in it, and not in pine forest, By folk beliefs, goblins, witches and mermaids settled.

Hello, dear readers of the Sprint-Response website. In this article you can find out the answers to the questions of the Super Game in the program “Field of Miracles” on October 27, 2017. The winner of the game agreed to the Super Game, so it took place. Answers to all Supergame questions can be found on our website in the same section. By the way, the winner won the Super Game, she guessed the main word.

Here are the questions in the Super Game "Fields of Miracles" 10/27/2017

Word horizontally (11 letters). What was the coniferous forest called in the European part of Russia and the Urals?

The word on the left vertically (5 letters). What was the name of the area under forest, bushes, cleared for arable land?

The word on the right vertically (6 letters). An old Russian proverb says: “There is space in the steppe, in the forest...”?

Answers to questions from the Super Game "Fields of Miracles" 10/27/2017

RED FOREST, -I, Wed. Coniferous forest. All species of resinous trees, such as pine, spruce, fir, etc., are called red forest, or red forest. S. Aksakov, Notes of a rifle hunter. I don’t want to say that the red forest is worse, but the aspen forest is also beautiful. (Soloukhin, The Third Hunt.)

Fight- the same as cleansing; a place where the forest is cut down, uprooted and burned for crops; arable land cleared from under the forest.

There is space in the steppe, in the forest land.

1. Krasolesye
2. Fight
3. Land

Between the tundra in the north and deciduous forest in the south there are vast and picturesque coniferous forests. One type of such forest is called northern boreal, it is located between 50° and 60° northern latitude. Another type - coniferous forest temperate zone , grows at lower latitudes North America, Europe and Asia, at the high altitudes of the mountains.

Coniferous forests are found mainly in the northern hemisphere, although some can be found in the southern hemisphere.

This is the largest terrestrial biotope in the world and consists mainly of coniferous trees- trees on which needles grow instead of leaves, cones instead of flowers, and seeds develop in cones. Coniferous trees tend to be evergreen, meaning their needles remain on their branches year-round. The only exception can be considered the genus of larches, whose needles turn yellow and fall off at the end of each summer. Such adaptations help plants survive in very cold or dry areas. Some of the most common species are spruce, pine and fir.

Precipitation in coniferous forests is from 300 to 900 mm per year, and in some forests of the temperate zone - up to 2000 m. The amount of precipitation depends on the location of the forest. In the northern boreal forests, winters are long, cold and dry, and summers are short, moderately warm, with plenty of moisture. At lower latitudes, precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.

Air temperature in areas where pine and spruce forests grow - from -40° C to 20° C, average summer temperature is 10°C.

Coniferous forests - an evergreen kingdom

Conifers grow where summers are short and cool and winters are long and harsh, with heavy snowfall that can last up to 6 months. The needle-shaped leaves have a waxy outer coating that prevents water loss in frosty weather. The branches, in turn, are soft and flexible and usually point downwards, so that snow easily rolls off them. Larches have been found in some of the coldest regions of our planet.

Evergreen forests consist mainly of species such as spruce, fir, pine and larch. The leaves of these trees are small and needle-like or scale-like, and most remain green all year round (evergreen). All conifers are able to live in cold and acidic soil.

All coniferous forests in the world are classified according to the following types:

• Eurasian coniferous forest with a dominant in the east Siberian pine, Siberian fir, Siberian and Daurian ( LAndsister-in-law Gmelin) larches. Scots pine and Scots spruce are important forest-forming species in Western Europe.
• WITHNorth American coniferous forest with a predominance of white spruce, black spruce and balsam fir.
• Tropicalth and subtropicalth coniferous forest with an abundance of cypresses, cedars and redwoods.

Northern coniferous forests, such as the coniferous forest in Siberia, are called taiga or boreal forests. They cover vast areas of North America from the Pacific to Atlantic Ocean and are located throughout Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and throughout Asia through Siberia and Mongolia to northern China and northern Japan.

The duration of the growing season in boreal forests is 130 days.

Cypress trees, cedars and sequoias grow strictly vertically. The tallest of them can reach 110 m in height. The trees are usually pyramidal. The short side branches grow quite close together, but they are so flexible that the snow simply slides off.

(pine and larch predominate):

(spruce and fir predominate):

Life in a coniferous forest

The biome is noticeably higher compared to the tundra: there are 120-150 species of nesting birds alone, and up to 40-50 species of mammals. At the same time, the biodiversity of coniferous forests is significantly inferior in its richness to tropical regions.

Even evergreen trees eventually lose their leaves and grow new ones. Needles fall on forest floor and form a thick spring carpet of pine needles. The light, usually acidic soils of coniferous forests are called podzols and have a compacted layer of humus that contains many mushrooms. Filamentous mushrooms help decompose needles that have fallen to the ground. These organisms provide nutrients from fallen pine needles back to the roots of the trees. But since the needles decompose very slowly, the soils under such trees have a low content of minerals and organic matter, and the number of invertebrates, such as earthworms there is very little in them.

Mosquitoes, flies and other insects are common inhabitants of coniferous forests, but due to low temperatures Few cold-blooded vertebrates such as snakes and frogs are present here. Birds of coniferous forests include woodpeckers, crossbills, wrens, hazel grouse, waxwings, grouse, hawks and owls. Common mammals include shrews, voles, squirrels, martens, moose, deer, lynxes and wolves.

Too little light penetrates through the thick canopy of coniferous trees. Due to the constant darkness, only ferns grow in the lower tier and very little herbaceous plants. Mosses and lichens, on the contrary, are found everywhere on forest soil, trunks and branches of trees. Flowering plants very little.

Currently, extensive logging in the boreal forests may soon lead to their extinction.

The importance of coniferous forests

Coniferous forests are the world's main source of commercial timber. Their use has many advantages:

• Except in very cold areas, they grow quickly and can be cut down every 40-50 years.
• Many conifers make good neighbors.
• Frozen soil makes it easier for machinery and vehicles to access wood in winter.
• Softwood has many different uses - paper, construction and furniture, etc.
• Coniferous wood can be easily harvested like a crop using modern technology.

Acid rain

Over the past 50 years, coniferous forests around the world have been affected by acid rain. The main reasons for which are:

• Air emissions sulfur dioxide power plants, industrial enterprises
• Increased emissions from power plants as well as from cars nitrogen oxides

These pollutants are carried air masses to the districts Western Europe. Fifty million hectares forest areas at 25 European countries suffers from acid rain. For example, coniferous mountain forests in Bavaria are dying. There have been cases of damage to conifers, as well as deciduous trees in Karelia and Siberia.

The most common conifers:

• Norway spruce
• White spruce
• Black spruce
• Canadian hemlock
• Cedar of Lebanon
  
• European larch
  
• Common juniper (heather)
  
• Fir
• Podocarp
• Western pine
• Caribbean pine
• Scots pine
• lodgepole pine
• Fitzroya cypress

Coniferous forest fascinates with its beauty and aroma. At any time of the year, it retains its crown, which is why it is also called evergreen. But in addition to its beauty, it serves as an excellent filter that purifies our air. Being in a pine forest for some time, you can feel a surge of strength, since the atmosphere of this place is saturated with phytoncides, which have a detrimental effect on pathogenic microorganisms. That is why many people like to visit the coniferous forest and enjoy its air.

Evergreen tree families

Typically there are only a few tree species in a coniferous forest. The entire class of conifers can be divided into several families:

• cypress (juniper, thuja, sequoia, some shrubs and, of course, cypress);
• pine (more than 120 varieties of pine, cedar, fir, spruce, hemlock, larch);
• yew (yew, torrea);
• Araucariaceae (Vollemia, Agathis, Araucaria);
• legocarpids;
• Also, some botanists make a division into the capitate and taxodia families.

Features of evergreens

Coniferous forest trees have their own characteristic differences. Large breeds almost always have a straight, large trunk and a cone-shaped crown. If the plant is in a dense forest, its lower branches begin to die due to lack of light.

Conifers are also gymnosperms and are pollinated mainly by the wind. Strobili, or, in other words, cones, grow on trees. When they ripen, their scales open and the seed falls onto the soil, after some time it germinates.

In addition, it is worth noting that the coniferous forest zone is located mainly in the Northern Hemisphere (a significant part of it is taiga). This location explains the shape of the “leaves.” They are quite hard and have a needle- or scale-like shape; they also come in flat shapes, in the form of strips. Since the climate of the area in which coniferous trees grow is generally cold, for better absorption of rare sunlight they got a dark green color. Also, the waxy surface of the “leaves” does not allow snow to linger on the branches, while moisture remains inside the needles during frosts.

Coniferous forest and its plants

Compared to deciduous forests V coniferous vegetation not so varied, but at the same time it is not scarce. They contain many shrubs and herbs. In addition, there are mosses and lichens. The soil of coniferous forests contains a lot of organic matter, so it is too acidic for ordinary grass and shrubs. But the plants of the coniferous forest are designed in such a way that local conditions suit them. Most often here you can find nettle, celandine, elderberry, strawberry, shepherd's purse, acacia, and fern.

In such forests, moss feels best, which can occupy a significant area, creating a green carpet. There is a huge variety of mosses here, since the conditions for them are ideal. Due to the shadow of the crowns, the moisture practically does not evaporate, and the snow is in no hurry to melt. All mosses differ from each other in color and height. Some are capable of reaching 10 centimeters in height.

Interesting facts

The coniferous forest attracts not only with its beauty and benefits, but also with some interesting facts:

• Among conifers there is a record holder for height. This is an evergreen sequoia whose height exceeds 115 meters.
• The majority of coniferous trees are evergreen. They do not change their “leaves” from 2 to 40 years! The exceptions are larch, glyptostrobus, metasequoia, pseudolarch and taxodium, which shed their needles in the winter.
• There are long-lived trees on earth, and almost all the record holders among them are conifers. For example, in California there is a pine tree that, according to some estimates, is about 4,700 years old.
• There is a New Zealand dwarf pine that surprises with its small size. Its height is about 8 centimeters.
• Coniferous trees can save you from vitamin deficiency. These plants contain seven times more vitamin C than lemons. But besides this, they also contain other microelements, so a drug from these plants can replace a multivitamin complex from a pharmacy.
• The air in the pine forest destroys the tuberculosis bacillus.
• The strongest coniferous wood is larch. For example, Venice is still supported on stilts made from this material.