Coniferous+Evergreen+Abiotic+Factors

Biomes often times are very much affected by the non-living factors in the environment. Some of these things that would factor into the type of biome that is present include the biomes average temperature, average rainfall amounts (both of which determine the climate), sunlight, water conditions/quality, and any of those seasonal variations throughout the changes in the biome. Also, some disturbances such as wildfires are abiotic factors that help to clear the forest and keep it healthy.

Temperatures in the Evergreen Coniferous Forests typically range from -40°C to 20°C throughout the year (F2). In winter, the temperatures are brutally cold ranging from -54°C to -1°C (F2). These low temperatures impact flora/fauna along with many processes that occur within these biomes. In summer, the temperatures rise and range from -7°C to 21°C (F2). These cold temperatures create harsh environments for organisms to live in and inhibit many plants from growing.

Below is a graph of the average temperatures found in this biome, As shown, although temperatures climb during the summer, they do not reach high values and the weather remains cool. In the winter months, temperatures dip into the negatives; a trademark feature of the evergreen coniferous forest. Along with temperature, the sunlight within this biome is really important to plant growth. Since the forests are found in higher latitudes, the effects of seasons are dramatized. In the winter, sunlight is less pronounced with much shorter days. In summer, sunlight is typically much brighter which impacts the growth of plants and has influenced the evolution of evergreen trees to take advantage of this short yet important part of the year (F6). Also, the tall trees block a lot of the sunlight for the forest floor thus causing only ferns and herbaceous plants to grow as well as lichens, moss, and liverworts. (F1)

Precipitation is another factor in climate that makes the evergreen coniferous forest biome unique amongst others. On average, 800-900 mm of precipitation is produced each year while some forests receive upwards of 2,000 mm of rain per year (F5). This precipitation falls year-round producing more rainfall in the summer months than snowfall in the winter months. All of this rain affects water quality. Typically in an evergreen coniferous forest, the soil is really acidic and at times can be full of toxins that the conifers excrete to keep other plants from growing (F6). The seasons change throughout the year and the main differences that follow each season come from the influence of climate over the biome (F2).

(F1) On an important note, there is the role of fire in the evergreen coniferous forest biome. As with most other forests, fire helps keep trees healthy and underbrush from piling up and causing issues with pests. The older trees are able to withstand the fire due to the outer bark that they have. Generally, when forest fires come through, especially in the evergreen coniferous forest, the fire burns underbrush and ultimately facilitates the growth and life of new plants (F6).

(F7) This is an image of a western coniferous forest undergoing a wildfire disturbance. Although forest fires are beneficial in small amounts, this example of a crown fire; a fire that spreads from and reaches the treetops. This type of fire can cause a lot of damage and destruction to any type of biome.

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