Conifers

ConifersMicaela Van Rensburg, Steven Smith, Penny Grell, Jared Barkmanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCJAFQgquWU&index=1&list=UUWqc_BkP2-IHZk-YZWvvDTQ Preeetty neatIntroduction to ConifersQuick 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!

ClassificationDomain: 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/BioBookDiversity_5.htmlOrder: Coniferales

Families: 1 extinct (Lebachiaceae)7 living (Araucariaceae, Podocarpaceae, Sciadopityaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, and Taxaceae)

These last three are found in Canada!

Genera: 67Species: 600+

Classification QuestionsWhat are some characteristics of organisms in the Kingdom Plantae?AnswerMulticellular

Photosynthetic

Contain ChloroplastsClassification QuestionsWhat does it mean if a plant is a gymnosperm?AnswerGymnosperm= 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/CellsParenchyma-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.htmlTissuesXylem-transports water and nutrients

Phloem-transports photosynthate

Rays-movement from outside to inside

https://faculty.unlv.edu/schulte/Anatomy/Secondary/PineXylPhl.jpgTissuesEpidermis-outer surface layer

Cortex

Pith-center of tree

Resin ducts

http://biology.touchspin.com/images/2007.02.27.81%20Pine%20Stem.40x.LF.7.jpgConesSeed carriers

Male cones-produce pollen

Female cones-produce ovules

http://universe-review.ca/I10-68-conifer.jpgSeedsSeed coat

Embryo/Zygote-contains all structures andinformation needed to forma tree

Megametophyte-food for seed

http://sharon-taxonomy2009-p3.wikispaces.com/GymnospermsQuestionWhich cell type has thick cell walls to provide support?

Parenchyma cells or sclerenchyma cells?AnswerSclerenchymaQuestionThe seed of a conifer tree is called a cone

true or false?AnswerFalse!Ecology

Abundant in Boreal Forest - stretching 5000 km

Spruce, Fir, Pine

Conifers can be found all over the planet

EcologyThe cone-shape prevents breakage from heavy snowfall.

Well suited for extreme coldEcologyPhotosynthesis:Contain energy from sunin their needles.Process can continue throughout winter,unlike deciduous trees

Conifer Hot-SpotsAside from North America, prevalent in Northern Eurasia.Some conifers in Southern Hemisphere, primarily Junipers and PinesEconomics of ConifersConifers make up of worlds lumber.Deforestation is an ongoing problem.

Economics of ConifersAccording to one article Canada is the greatest contributor to deforestation worldwide (Huffington Post 2014).

Primarily prairie provinces and BC interiorQuestionsHow can conifers survive all winter without losing their needles?

Answer: Energy contained through photosynthesis in every season.QuestionsWhat are the three types of conifers that are most prevalent in the Boreal Forest?

Answer: Spruce, fir and pineSignificance to Humans

http://scheererbearing.com/index.php?page=pulppaperImportant Economically

Important to Natives

Widely used before the invention of petroleumSignificance to Environment

http://www.heatherconnblogs.com/tag/elphinstone-logging-focus/Provide habitat for wildlife

Provide habitat for plants

Aid in development of thesoilDamage of Conifers

http://www.flowserve.com/Products/Pumps/Industries/Pulp-and-PaperLogging in Northern Conifer forests

Aid in cleaning the the air

Fires, pine beetles, insects

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

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/07/thousands-residents-evacuate-homes-forest-fires-rage-across-b-c/TREENOMIXUBC research to improve forest health

Gather data on genome structure, genome function and gene expression profiles.

Advise stewardship

Significance QuestionHow do Conifers contribute to the development of the soil?Answer: Conifers discard needles, contributing to a soft, spongy forest floor. Significance QuestionWhat 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 colourHOW NEAT IS THAT? ReferencesConiferous 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.orgChristopher 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

ReferencesHinterland,. (2014). Hinterland Who's Who - Canada's Boreal Forest. Retrieved 14 October 2014, from http://www.hww.ca/en/issues-and-topics/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.htmlConiferous 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.orgChristopher J. Earle. 2014. Conifers. Accessed Oct 12/14.http://www.biologyreference.com/Ce-Co/Conifers.htmlThe 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