Tropical+and+subtropical+coniferous+forests

=﻿ ﻿Tropical and Subtropical Coniferous Forests =



Introduction
Tropical and Subtropical coniferous forests are located near semi-humid areas. They vary in temperature and have low levels of precipitation. This biome is made up of many species of conifers as well as many exotic species of flowers and animals. The destruction of these forests is progressively increasing and becoming a worldwide issue.



Fauna
There are many species of animals that live in Tropical and Subtropical coniferous Forests. All of these animals adapt to the conditions of these forests around the world. Here is a listing of the variety of animals in these areas: __**Birds**__ __**Insects**__
 * American Black Vulture
 * Golden Eagle
 * Lammergeier
 * Peregrine Falcon
 * Pied kingfisher
 * coal tit
 * Monarch Butterfly

__**Mammals**__
 * Giant anteater
 * Mexican free tailed bat
 * Asian golden cat
 * Black Bear
 * Clouded Leopard
 * Puma
 * Otter
 * Red Fox
 * Tiger
 * Golden Langur

__**Reptiles**__
 * Fer-de-lance
 * Indian Rock Python
 * King cobra
 * Monocled cobra
 * Gopher Tortoise

These animals adapt this environment by going along with the weather. Many animals stay up high were predators can not catch them or many animals stay lower but are unafraid because on how poisonous they are to predators. Some animals leave for the winter to mate and come back during the more humid and warm weather. Only a few animals can adapt to this environment.

**Flora**
In tropical and subtropical coniferous forests there is a wide variety of flora. They have a closed canopy that stops light getting to the floor and so theres not much underbrush. Then the ground is mostly covered with fungi and shrubs. These forests are mostly spruce larch fir and pine.

__larch__

__spruce__ __Fir__ __Pine__ These are the main trees but theres many other plants living in these forests. Some other trees are birch aspen and willow trees. Underneath the trees theres many lichens (fungi) and mosses.

__Lichen__ __Mosses__

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The trees are able to survive the variable climate because of their needles and the the lichen live of of the trees.

Destruction and Conservation Efforts
Unfortunately, tropical and subtropical coniferous forests are being destroyed and threatened progressively each year. Illegal logging, grazing, and land conversion for cultivation have become a world wide problem with a lot of environmental damage. Because of new developments and growing agriculture, some forests have almost been entirely wiped out. Many species of plants and animals are being threatened because of this deforest. In Mexico alone there are 40 species of plants that are critically endangered and 146 vulnerable. In 20% of Australia's plant and animal species are threatened with extinction.

However, there are steps being taken to reverse deforestation and protect forests. Several coniferous forest reserves have been established and in some countries a zero-tolerance policy for logging. There is also a new Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve designed to help reserve tropical and subtropical forest in which butterflies migrate to.The conservation of coniferous forests is important because forests are home to many plants and animals, help stop global warming, and also prevent soil erosion.