What is taiga? Coniferous forests of the taiga: description, flora and fauna. Coniferous trees names What was the name of the spruce forest before

Coniferous forest is a natural area consisting of evergreens. Their unpretentiousness, lack of fear of excess moisture and large temperature changes, as well as the need for natural light, determined the habitat and unique features.

The coniferous forests of Russia make up 2/3 of the total forest area of the country. In this regard, Russia is a world leader. Of the world heritage of coniferous forests, the Russian part is more than half.

All coniferous forests in Russia are taiga, which extends mainly in the northern part of the country, occupies its European zone, the territory of Western and Eastern Siberia, as well as the Far East.

coniferous forest zone

There are three subzones of the taiga, each of which is characterized by its own special vegetation:

Northern.
Medium;
South;

(northern taiga)

The northern subzone of the taiga is dominated by spruce forests and stunted vegetation. From the side of the tundra, they are sparse, but gradually thicken towards the south.

(Pine forest of the Urals)

The coniferous forests of the Urals are characterized by pine forests, the Far Eastern region of Siberia is represented mainly by larch

(Southern taiga forest)

The southern taiga boasts a wide variety of vegetation. Fir, spruce, cedar and larch grow here.

Forests in Russia are found formed by only one type of tree or are mixed forest stands. Depending on the composition of the coniferous forest, it is also divided into light coniferous (pine and Siberian larch), as well as dark coniferous forests. The latter are fir, cedar and spruce.

(Typical coniferous forest)

In coniferous forests, trees tend to be tall with straight trunks and large, dense crowns. Some of them, such as pines, can reach a height of 40 meters. Such conditions do not allow the formation of a diverse undergrowth. It is represented mainly by moss, low bushes of berries and club mosses. New, young trees that also need light cannot always break through, and therefore grow more often on the outskirts of the forest and edges.

The climate of coniferous forests

In the coniferous forests of Russia, the climate is special, it is characterized by warm and sometimes hot summers and frosty, harsh winters. The maximum temperatures reach 45 degrees with a plus and minus sign, respectively. A similar climate is suitable for conifers that are undemanding to such temperature changes. For them, the main thing is the sufficient availability of natural light.

Another feature of the climate of the Russian taiga is high humidity. Precipitation here exceeds the actual volume of evaporation. Not infrequently, especially in Siberia, there are large areas of wetlands. This is partly due to the close approach of groundwater.

Human economic activity

The territory of the taiga is represented by timber, the volume of which exceeds 5.5 billion cubic meters.

Such resources, as well as the presence of oil, gas and coal reserves in the subsoil of the regions, determined the main types of economic activity in the taiga:

extraction of oil, gas and minerals;
logging;
timber processing.

For example, pine wood is used to make building materials, furniture, it is valued as a fuel, cellophane, rayon and, of course, paper are also produced from it.

Spruce and fir also act as a material for construction. Paper, artificial viscose, etc. are made from their wood. An interesting feature of spruce is resonant wood, which is used to make musical instruments.

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

Here are the questions in the Super Game "Fields of Wonders" 27.10.2017

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

Word left vertical (5 letters). What was the name of the area from under the forest, bushes, cleared for arable land?

Word on the right vertically (6 letters). An old Russian proverb says: "There is space in the steppe, in the forest ..."?

Answers to the questions of the Supergame "Fields of Wonders" 27.10.2017

RED FOREST, -i, cf. 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 do not want to say that the red forest is worse, but the aspen forest is also beautiful. (Soloukhin, The Third Hunt.)

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

In the steppe space, in the forest land.

beauty forest
Fight
land

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

Location in Russia

The taiga is spreading in a wide strip in our country. Coniferous forests occupy most of Siberia (Eastern, Western), the Urals, the Baikal region, the Far East and the Altai Mountains. The zone originates on the western border of Russia, it stretches to the coast of the Pacific Ocean - the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.

The coniferous forests of the taiga border on other climatic zones. In the north, they coexist with 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

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

The extreme boundary of the biome on the south side is located on the island of Hokkaido (Japan). The northern side is bounded 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 at once - temperate and subarctic. This explains the diversity of weather conditions in the taiga. The temperate climate ensures warm summers. The average temperature of the natural zone in the summer is 20 degrees above zero. The cold arctic air affects the sharp temperature changes and affects the taiga winters, the air here can be cooled to 45 degrees below zero. In addition, piercing winds are observed at all times of the year.

The coniferous forests of the taiga are characterized by high humidity due to their location in swampy areas and low evaporation. In summer, most of the 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, longest and richest natural zone is the taiga. Coniferous forests occupy fifteen million square kilometers of the 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 past era, before the onset of and However, the zone received a detailed analysis and 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. Famous Russian rivers originate here - Volga, Lena, Kama, Northern Dvina and others. They cross the taiga of the Yenisei and the Ob. In coniferous forests there are the largest Russian reservoirs - Bratskoye, Rybinsk, Kamskoye. In addition, there is a lot of groundwater in the taiga, which explains the predominance of swamps (especially in Northern Siberia and Canada). Due to the temperate climate and sufficient moisture, there is a rapid development of the plant world.

Taiga subzones

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

Northern. Characterized by a cold climate. It has harsh winters and cool summers. Huge areas of land are occupied by swampy terrain. Forests in most cases are stunted, medium-sized spruces and pines are observed.
Average. Differs in moderation. The climate is temperate - warm summers, cold but not frosty winters. Many swamps of various types. High humidity. Trees of normal height, mainly blueberry spruce forests sprout.
South. The most diverse flora and fauna, coniferous forests are observed here. The 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 soreness.

Forest types

Depending on the vegetation, several types of taiga are distinguished. The main ones are light coniferous and dark coniferous forests. Along with trees, there are meadows that arose on the site of deforestation.

Light coniferous type. It is mainly distributed in Siberia. Also found in other areas (Urals, Canada). It is located in a sharply continental climate zone, characterized by abundant rainfall and moderate weather conditions. One of the most common types of trees is pine - a photophilous representative of the taiga. Such forests are spacious and bright. Larch is another common species. Forests are even lighter than pine forests. The crowns of trees are rare, so in such "thickets" a feeling of open area 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 divided the natural zones, and their differences and features were not known. Fortunately, today geography has been studied in more detail, and the necessary information is available to everyone. The coniferous forest of the taiga - trees, plants, shrubs ... What is the characteristic and interesting flora of this zone?

In the forests - weakly expressed or absent undergrowth, which is explained by insufficient amount of light, especially in dark coniferous thickets. There is a monotony of moss - as a rule, only a 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. Spruce-fir forests grow in mountainous regions. Clusters of larches stretch to the east. The Okhotsk coast is rich in a variety of tree species. In addition to coniferous representatives, the taiga is also fraught with deciduous trees. consist of aspen, alder, birch.

Animal world of the taiga

The fauna of the coniferous forests of the taiga is diverse and unique. A wide variety of insects live here. Nowhere is there such a number of fur-bearing animals, including ermine, sable, hare, weasel. Climatic conditions are 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 associated with severe winters. The rest of the inhabitants have adapted to the cold seasons. Some of them fall into hibernation or anabiosis, while their vital activity slows down.

What animals live in coniferous forests? The taiga, where there are so many shelters for animals and an abundance of food, is characterized by the presence of such predators as lynx, brown bear, wolf, fox. Ungulates live here - roe deer, bison, elk, deer. On the branches of trees and under them live rodents - beavers, squirrels, mice, chipmunks.

Birds

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

man in taiga

Human activities do not always favorably affect the state of nature. Numerous fires caused by the negligence and thoughtlessness of people, deforestation and mining lead to a decrease in the number of forest wildlife.

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

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 pathogens. That is why many people like to visit the coniferous forest and enjoy its air.

Families of evergreen trees

Usually in a coniferous forest there are only a few tree species. 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 pines, cedar, fir, spruce, hemlock, larch);
yew (yew, torreya);
araucariaceae (wollemia, agatis, araucaria);
pediculate;
also some botanists make a division into 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.

Also, conifers are gymnosperms, they are pollinated mainly due to the wind. Strobili, or, in other words, cones, grow on trees. When they ripen, their scales open and the seed falls to the soil, after a while it germinates.

In addition, it is worth noting that the zone of coniferous forests 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 rigid and have a needle-like or scaly shape, they are also flat, in the form of strips. Since the climate of the area in which conifers grow is mostly cold, they have received a dark green color to better absorb the rare sunlight. Also, the wax 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 in coniferous forests, the vegetation is not so diverse, but it is not sparse. 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 oxidized for ordinary grass and shrubs. But the plants of the coniferous forest are arranged in such a way that local conditions suit them. Most often here you can find nettle, celandine, elderberry, strawberry, shepherd's purse, acacia, fern.

In such forests, moss feels best of all, 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 shade of the crowns, moisture practically does not evaporate, and the snow is in no hurry to melt. All mosses differ in color and height from each other. Some are able to reach 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 champion in height. This is an evergreen sequoia, whose height exceeds 115 meters.
The main part of coniferous trees is evergreen. They do not change their "leaves" from 2 to 40 years! The exception is larch, glyptostrobus, metasequoia, pseudolarch and taxodium, which shed their needles for the winter.
There are long-lived trees on earth, and almost all of the champions 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 from beriberi. These plants contain seven times more vitamin C than lemons. But besides this, they also contain other trace elements, so the drug from these plants can replace the multivitamin complex from the pharmacy.
The air in the pine forest destroys the tubercle bacillus.
The most durable coniferous wood is larch. For example, Venice is still supported on piles made of this material.

Today is Friday again, and again the guests are in the studio, spinning the drum and guessing the letters. The next issue of the capital show Field of Miracles is on the 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 zones. The forest and human life are two links, the existence of which is impossible without each other. For a long time, the forest fed, clothed, warmed the Russian people, saved them from enemies. And a special place has always belonged to the coniferous forest. In Russia, the coniferous forest was called red forest. It owes this name due to the fact that it is green all year round, which means it is beautiful, red.

Krasnolesye ... Listen to this word. Everything is in it: surprise, admiration and even reverence for a real work of nature - a coniferous forest. It is really red in all seasons, especially the pine forest with its reddish-golden trunks illuminated by the sun, solemnly rising into the blue of the sky. Greens and gold - how not to 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 for the winter and becomes featureless, dark, black. The black forest was also usually considered a refuge for black, evil spirits: it was in it, and not in the pine forest, according to popular beliefs, goblin, witches and mermaids settled.