Conifers

Micaela Van Rensburg, Steven Smith, Penny Grell, Jared Barkman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCJAFQgquWU&index=1&list=UUWqc_BkP2-IHZk-YZWvvDTQ

Introduction to Conifers
Quick Description:
Conifers are a large group of resinous (sticky substance secreted by plants), cone bearing
seed plants such as trees and shrubs
Includes pines, spruces, firs and cedars, to name a few
Most have needle like leaves, and many are evergreens, meaning they maintain their leaves
year round
AND are associated with everyones favourite season, CHRISTMAS!

Classification
Domain: Eukarya- having a nucleus surrounded by two membranes and
membrane bound organelles.
Kingdom: Plantae- include all land plants- multicellular, photosynthetic
(containing chlorplasts) organisms.
Phylum: Coniferophyta- The largest and most diverse phylum of the
Streptophyta clade (originated from the chlorophyta green algae).
Specifically they are gymnosperms (Gymnosperm= vascular plant, with
naked seeds, meaning not contained in protective chambers)
Gymnosperm is not a taxonomic clade

http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/Faculty/Farabee/BIOBK/BioBookDiver
sity_5.html

Order: Coniferales
Families: 1 extinct (Lebachiaceae)
7 living (Araucariaceae, Podocarpaceae,
Sciadopityaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Pinaceae,
Cupressaceae, and Taxaceae)
These last three are found in Canada!
Genera: 67
Species: 600+

Classification Questions
1) What are some characteristics of organisms in
the Kingdom Plantae?

Answer
Multicellular
Photosynthetic
Contain Chloroplasts

Classification Questions
2) What does it mean if a plant is a
gymnosperm?

Answer
Gymnosperm= The plant has naked seeds- meaning not
protected in a chamber.

Not to be confused with the cone (reproductive

structure)

Anatomy

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/conif/

Cells
Parenchyma
-provide storage and
transportation of nutrients
Sclerenchyma
-thick cell walls provide support
Tracheids
-pits in cell walls to move water
http://cronodon.com/BioTech/Plant_Bodies_Wood.html

Tissues
Xylem
-transports water and nutrients
Phloem
-transports photosynthate
Rays
-movement from outside to
inside
https://faculty.unlv.edu/schulte/Anatomy/Secondary/PineXylPhl.jpg

Tissues
Epidermis
-outer surface layer
Cortex
Pith
-center of tree
Resin ducts
http://biology.touchspin.com/images/2007.02.27.81%20Pine%20Stem.40x.LF.7.jpg

Cones
Seed carriers
Male cones
-produce pollen
Female cones
-produce ovules
http://universe-review.ca/I10-68-conifer.jpg

Seeds
Seed coat
Embryo/Zygote
-contains all structures and
information needed to form
a tree
Megametophyte
-food for seed

http://sharon-taxonomy2009-p3.wikispaces.com/Gymnosperms

Question
Which cell type has thick cell walls to provide
support?
Parenchyma cells or sclerenchyma cells?

Answer

Sclerenchyma

Question
The seed of a conifer tree is called a cone
true or false?

Answer

False!

Ecology
Conifers can be found all over the planet
Abundant in Boreal
Forest - stretching
5000 km
Spruce, Fir, Pine

Ecology
Well suited for extreme
cold
The cone-shape prevents
breakage from heavy
snowfall.

Ecology
Photosynthesis:
Contain energy from sun
in their needles.
Process can continue
throughout winter,
unlike deciduous trees

Conifer Hot-Spots
Aside from North America, prevalent in
Northern Eurasia.
Some conifers in Southern Hemisphere,
primarily Junipers and Pines

Economics of Conifers
Conifers make up of worlds lumber.
Deforestation is an
ongoing problem.

Economics of Conifers
According to one article Canada is the
greatest contributor to deforestation
worldwide (Huffington Post 2014).
Primarily prairie
provinces and BC interior

Questions
How can conifers survive all winter without
losing their needles?

Answer: Energy contained through

photosynthesis in every season.

Questions
What are the three types of conifers that are
most prevalent in the Boreal Forest?
Answer: Spruce, fir and pine

Significance to Humans
Important Economically
Important to Natives
Widely used before the
invention of petroleum
http://scheererbearing.com/index.php?page=pulppaper

Significance to Environment
Provide habitat for wildlife
Provide habitat for plants
Aid in development of the
soil

http://www.heatherconnblogs.com/tag/elphinstone-logging-focus/

Damage of Conifers
Logging in Northern Conifer
forests
Aid in cleaning the the air
Fires, pine beetles, insects
http://www.flowserve.com/Products/Pumps/Industries/Pulp-and-Paper

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/mountain_pine_beetle/bbphotos.htm

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/07/thousands-residents-evacuate-homesforest-fires-rage-across-b-c/

TREENOMIX
UBC research to improve forest
health
Gather data on genome structure, genome
function and gene expression profiles.
Advise stewardship

Significance Question
How do Conifers contribute to the
development of the soil?
Answer: Conifers discard needles,
contributing to a soft, spongy forest floor.

Significance Question
What insect harms Conifers? What colour does
it make the trees turn?
Answer: Conifers can be harmed by Pine
beetles, which cause the needles to turn a
red and orange colour

HOW NEAT IS THAT?

References

Coniferous Forests. 2014. WWF Global. Accessed Oct 11/14.

http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/ecoregions/about/habitat_types/habitats/coniferous_forests/

The Gymnosperm Database. 2013-12-29. Accessed Oct 11/14. http://www.conifers.org

Christopher J. Earle. 2014. Conifers. Accessed Oct 12/14.
http://www.biologyreference.com/Ce-Co/Conifers.html

The Gymnosperm Database. 2013-12-29. Accessed Oct 11/14. http://www.conifers.org

Doccola, J.J., Wild, P.M., Bristol, E.J., and Taylor, C. 2005. Conifer vs. Hardwood Anatomy. Arborjet Inc.
http://www.arborjet.com/assets/pdf/training/Conifer_vs._Hardwood_Anatomy.pdf
Robichaud, A., Ehrman, J.M., Mood, B., and Laroquez, C.P. 2012. Description and wood identification of native
coniferous tree species in the Maritimes from dendroarchaeological material. MAD Lab Report.
http://www.mta.ca/madlab/2012-17.pdf
Kolotelo, D. 1997. Anatomy & Morphology of Conifer Tree Seed. Forest Nursery Technical Series 1.1. Ministry of
Forests. https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hti/publications/misc/anatomymorphology.pdf

References
Hinterland,. (2014). Hinterland Who's Who - Canada's Boreal Forest. Retrieved 14 October 2014, from http://www.hww.ca/en/issues-andtopics/canadas-boreal-forest.html
RAMP Alberta. (2014). Biodiversity in the Boreal Forest: Trees - Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP). Retrieved 14 October
2014, from http://www.ramp-alberta.org/river/boreal/alberta/trees.aspx
The Huffington Post,. (2014). Canada The World Leader In Deforestation, Study Finds. Retrieved 14 October 2014, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/09/05/canada-deforestation-worst-in-world_n_5773142.html
Coniferous Forests. 2014. WWF Global. Accessed Oct 11/14.
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/ecoregions/about/habitat_types/habitats/coniferous_forests/
The Gymnosperm Database. 2013-12-29. Accessed Oct 11/14. http://www.conifers.org
Christopher J. Earle. 2014. Conifers. Accessed Oct 12/14.
http://www.biologyreference.com/Ce-Co/Conifers.html
The Gymnosperm Database. 2013-12-29. Accessed Oct 11/14. http://www.conifers.org

References
Dolphin, W.D., and Vleck, D. (2015). Biological Investigations. New York: Mcgraw-Hill Education.
Eckenwalder, J. (2014). Conifers. In Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Retrieved from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/132725/conifer/34728/Annotated-classification
Owens, J.N. (2012). Coniferous Trees. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/coniferous-trees/#h3_jump_5