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GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL! Remember your trip to the cool peaceful, deciduous forest on the last page. Imagine that your parents decided instead to make a long weekend of your little get-a-way. You helped them pack up the sleeping bags, tent, Dutch oven and fishing equipment and headed for the Uintah Mountains. You have always loved this beautiful area filled with thousands of tall trees swaying in the wind. You enjoy feeding the squirrels and chipmunks at the campground. You find this area beautiful, peaceful and serene. This is the coniferous forest. |
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BABY IT'S COLD (AND SNOWY) OUTSIDE! The coniferous forest stretches across sections of North America, Europe and Asia. The winter in this biome is very long and cold. Snowfall is very heavy during the winter season. In the spring the ground often becomes soggy and swampy from the snow melt. Summers are cool and pleasant. (That is why your family decided to go there for the weekend.) |
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SMELL THE PINES! There are many different types of life in the coniferous forest. It is mostly covered with evergreen conifers, pines, spruces, hemlocks and fir trees. Evergreens have adapted to this harsh environment. There needles have a waxy coating and a small surface area which keeps them from freezing. Other plants include Larkspur,Sagebrush, Manzanita, and Oak. |
COUGARS AND BOBCATS AND
BEARS Some of the animals that live in the
coniferous forest make it through the long, harsh winter by
hibernating. Bears eat a lot of food during the early winter
and then take a long winter's nap. Other animals build up a
large layer of fat to keep them warm in the winter. Still
other species migrate to warmer areas during the cold
season. THE LIVING FOREST! Animals living in the coniferous forest
include many bird species such as the Golden Eagle, Barn
Owl, and Hummingbird. Perhaps when you have visited the
forest you may have also spotted a Badger, Coyote, Cougar,
Bobcat, Elk, Deer, Moose, Porcupines, Squirrels or
Chipmunks. Some of these animals, such as moose, are
increasing in numbers in the forests of Utah. Do you know
why?
THE DISAPPEARING ACT! Not only is the coniferous forest very
beautiful, it is also very valuable. These forests provide
lumber for much of the world. As a result of lumbering, much
of the coniferous forest is vanishing. Some species such as
the Spotted Owl and Timber Wolf are disappearing. That makes
a lot of people angry. At the same time however, there is an
ever increasing need for these resources. THINK ABOUT IT! The conflict of wildlife verses progress
has of been an issue for the people in Utah and throughout
our country. Often, people choose a side regarding these
issue without researching both sides of the problem. Pick a
particular issue that relates to wildlife verses progress in
your area. Use the Internet to find BOTH sides of the issue.
Write a short paper using statements that support both
sides. In the final paragraph of the paper, state your own
opinion.
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GO THERE! You probably know this by now, but by clicking on any of the pictures below, you can find out more about the coniferous forest. |
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Copyright © by the Utah State Office of Education.
Created July 20, 2000 by Kathleen Ochsenbein