Nothing compares to the scent of a coniferous forest on a fine summer day! Majestic coniferous trees with widely spread branches that create a cozy shade will impress any lover of forest walks.
Coniferous plants are not only companions of a pleasant forest walk, but also full members of the plant community. Often, passing by, people do not even think about how much interesting you can learn about this class of trees.
It's no secret that a person learns a significant part of the information about the world around him while sitting at a school desk. And how is the educational process being built now when children study the class of coniferous plants?
What are conifers? How are they classified by modern science? How does the acquaintance of children mastering the basic general educational program of primary general education with the class of conifers occur? Answers to these questions, many other interesting facts, as well as beautiful photos are waiting for the reader in the article.
What plants are called conifers?
Most people of all ages, religions, nationalities and political persuasions know that trees are divided into coniferous and deciduous. With deciduous trees, everything is clear. They have leaves that form foliage. Branches with foliage, in turn, form the crown of trees. Particularly sophisticated people even know that the leaves of trees and plants are involved in the process of photosynthesis, providing the planet Earth with oxygen and processing carbon dioxide.
But what about coniferous plants? Why are they called that? Can they, like their leafy counterparts, participate in the production of oxygen? Let's figure it out.
The class name "coniferous" comes from the word "needles". Needles are called modified leaves of plants, having an elongated narrow shape and a pointed end. In case of unsuccessful interaction with the needles of trees, you can even pierce your hand or seriously damage your eyes.
Conifers are vascular plants. This means that the transfer of nutrients and moisture within the tree occurs through a system of vessels.
The next sign is woody. It should be understood as the presence of wood on a tree trunk. All woody plants are perennials.
The calling card of conifers is that they are evergreen. Yes, some of them shed their leaves (for example, larch) once a year. Some plants, meanwhile, change their "wardrobe" once every fifty years.
Another unique sign of conifers is the presencecones in which seeds ripen. The cone is a modified shoot that plays a key role in the reproduction of these plants. Scientists have proven that some representatives of the Coniferous department can store seeds in their cones for decades.
Most representatives of conifers have a straight trunk and branches extending from it in different directions. A characteristic feature of many plants of this class are whorls - peculiar rings formed by branches extending from the main tree trunk. Counting the number of whorls on a tree trunk is one way to determine the age of a tree. Each ring of whorls corresponds to one year that has passed in the life of the tree. The straight trunk in the vast majority of cases ends with a pronounced crown.
An interesting feature of gymnosperms of the Coniferous class is that many of them begin to dry out from the crown. This is explained by the peculiar supply of nutrients along the trunk of trees. Such problems with conifers can occur due to poor ecology. Another common cause is damage to the tree's root system or bark.
Coniferous roots
The root system of conifers is also peculiar. Most often, most of them retain the main root throughout their lives. Smaller roots extend from it, running almost along the surface of the earth. Such a device of the root system is an advantage and a disadvantage of such trees. On the one hand, in this way the plant can collect more nutrients due to the greaterarea covered by the soil root system. On the other hand, such a root arrangement makes Conifers extremely vulnerable to forest fires. It is not uncommon for entire hectares of forest to stand dead because the fire that destroyed the small undergrowth also destroyed the roots of the trees.
However, a number of developed countries in Europe and North America use the burning method to renew forest plantations. It is worth noting that this process should be under the strict control of competent specialists and in no case should it proceed spontaneously. The soil renewed and fertilized during burning contributes to improved tree growth, reduces the number of parasites that feed on their wood.
What kind of needles are there?
The length of the needles may vary depending on the species of a particular tree. Some specimens have giant needles, the length of which can reach up to thirty centimeters (for example, Engelman's pine). The smallest needles can reach a length of only three to six millimeters.
The needles of coniferous trees differ in their hardness. Some species, such as larch, have soft and delicate needles, which are simply impossible to damage. Spruces, on the other hand, have hard needles that, under unfortunate circumstances, can even pierce clothing and human skin.
The needles of individual tree species are abundantly covered with special wax. This was done by prudent nature in order to protect the plant from excessive ultraviolet rays, which are detrimental to it.
Young and mature needles also differ from each other. Youngleaf-like organs of coniferous trees are softer than older ones. Old needles become rough to the touch. This is due to the fact that the special pores of the needles, responsible for the "breathing" of the plant, gradually become larger and begin to be felt to the touch.
Useful substances contained in needles
The needles of most plants of the Coniferous class are sour in taste (especially spruce), tart. This is due to the presence of a significant amount of amino acids there. When chewing the needles, a slurry is formed that does not disintegrate in the mouth. It is not recommended to constantly use needles for food, although it is not poisonous.
On the contrary, needles are often used for medicinal purposes. This is done because of the richest set of substances contained in it. Tree needles are rich in vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin P, vitamin K, as well as iron, cob alt and manganese).
Needles are one of the most sought-after sources of carotene (the substance that is found in large quantities in carrots). Its content reaches from one hundred and fifty to three hundred milligrams per kilogram of needles.
How long ago did conifers appear on Earth?
Coniferous plants are very ancient. Perhaps even the oldest of the higher plants on planet Earth.
Exhibits taken from the ground by archaeologists and paleobotanists are subjected to radiocarbon analysis to determine the most accurate age of the fossil. As a result of such procedures, it was established that individual representatives of the Coniferous class existed on our planet already three hundred million years ago.back. Think about these figures - three hundred million years ago! In this ancient time, there was not even a hint of a human in nature, and huge dinosaurs inhabited the planet.
The discovery of scientists is of interest. According to the research of the scientific community studying the history of this class of plants, a characteristic feature of the ancient conifers was that among them there were many shrubs and even herbaceous plants. Now, unfortunately, most of them have died out, giving way to modern representatives of the Coniferous class.
Today, the vast majority of conifers are trees covered with strong bark and without grass fibers.
The place of conifers in plant systematics
Each class of plants is systematized by scientists into a single system. Plants that have needles instead of leaves are no exception.
The characteristic of the Coniferous class is quite simple and clear. If we give a simple classification of conifers, then it will look like this: eukaryotes, plants, conifers.
Domain Eukaryotes combine organisms that have a cellular structure. In addition to plants, the records also include animals, fungi, protists and chromists.
The next level of classification is the realm. Conifers belong to the plant kingdom, as they meet all the inherent characteristics. This is the presence of a dense cellulose membrane of the cell, and growth throughout life, and the process of photosynthesis, and maintaining an attached lifestyle (they do not move independently).
Kingdoms are subdivided into departments. The department we are interested in - Gymnosperms of the Coniferous class -enters right here. He got his name because the plants included in this department do not have a seed coat.
Departments are divided into classes. The department of gymnosperms includes the classes Ginkgo (the only representative is Ginkgo biloba), Cycads, Gnetovye and finally Coniferous. There were two more classes of gymnosperms - Bennettite and seed ferns, but today they are recognized as extinct.
How are conifers classified?
The class Coniferous, in turn, is also subdivided into several smaller classification steps. Consider the main ones.
A class in botany is conditionally subdivided into subclasses. The plant class Conifers is divided into the subclass Cordaite (now extinct) and the subclass Coniferous. Yes, it's not a typo. The class and subclass names are the same.
The subclass of conifers includes 6 (according to other classifications 7) plant families. All of them form one order - Coniferous (Pine). These include Pine, Araucaria, Cypress, Taxodie, Podocarp and Yew plants.
Each family is divided into genera, in which specific species are already distinguished. For example, we classify a plant, starting with a class. For example, common pine. Class - Conifers. Subclass - Conifers. Order - Coniferous (Pine). Family - Pine. Genus - Pine. View - Scotch pine. Any coniferous plant lends itself to a similar classification.
Diversity of species
In total, in the classification of plants, there are from six hundred to six hundred and fifty speciesconifer class. Their characteristics are largely similar, but they also have differences. Let's get to know the coniferous trees that are often found in Russia, closer!
One of the most common plants in Russian latitudes is spruce. This genus of plants is characterized by a high trunk and a lush cone-shaped beautiful crown. A special property of this tree is the ability to live almost forever - spruce is able to put out living roots from a dead tree. There are more than thirty species of this gorgeous plant on the globe.
Pine is also very common in our country. Researchers have recorded more than a hundred species of pines, the vast majority of which grow in the northern hemisphere of the Earth. A characteristic feature of pine is its high resin content. If you approach and hug a tree, then with a high degree of probability the clothes will have to be cleaned.
The next representative of conifers found in Russia is larch. This tree exceeds forty meters in height, and lives up to four hundred years. A feature of larch is the shedding of needles for the winter. The needles of the tree are soft, very pleasant to the touch.
Types of conifers depending on size and growth rates
In the scientific community, as one of the classification systems for conifers, classification is distinguished by the size of the annual growth of the tree. There are five types. The most "fast" plants add fifteen to twenty centimeters a year. The slowest are three to five centimeters.
World record holders
Interesting fact: conifers are"world champions in all categories".
In the nomination "The oldest tree" on the first step of the podium is Old Tikko - a pine tree in the mountains of Sweden. According to the most conservative estimates of biologists, the age of the tree is more than nine and a half thousand years. The secret of Tikko's longevity is that he managed to put down living roots from a tree that burned down in a fire. These roots serve the owner until now. By the way, the second and third places are also occupied by representatives of the coniferous class. These trees are over five thousand years old and grew when there were no presidents, no kings, no Roman and Greek emperors, and most of the Egyptian pharaohs.
The tallest tree in the world is the Hyperion sequoia. A powerful tree with a straight trunk rises one hundred and fifteen meters above the American forests. The height of the giant is comparable to a house of forty floors.
The most massive tree is also a conifer. "General Sherman" - a sequoiadendron from California National Park - weighs about two million kilograms in total. According to the calculations of practical Americans, up to forty houses with five rooms in each of them can be built from its wood. The second largest tree in the world is "General Grant". This sequoiadendron has been declared a US national shrine and a monument to fallen soldiers.
The place of conifers in the educational program of elementary school
With the entry into force of the federal stateof the educational standard of primary general education, the curriculum of the school was also revised. The subject in which children get acquainted with wildlife is called "The World Around". To study it, the kids are allocated two hours a week.
As part of the study of the subject "The world around us", the guys get acquainted with coniferous trees. At the end of mastering the program of primary general education, teachers often resort to such a form of knowledge testing as the dictation "Coniferous Forest". In grade 4, children know the types of trees and are able to talk about them. Also an important evaluation criterion is the determination of the type of plant.
How is this topic taught at the beginning of training?
Coniferous trees in grade 1 begin to be studied by first graders from the simplest. The teacher usually asks the children about their personal experiences. Were there children in the forest? What did they see there?
At the same time, it is very important to motivate the child to study, to create an educational situation. In order to achieve the cherished goal, primary school teachers often resort to various tricks: either they put a letter on the table from the Old Man-Lesovichok with an invitation to visit the Magic Forest, or they will be transported along with the class to unknown paths in Baba Yaga's mortar. The main thing is that the child has interested eyes.
Second graders studying conifers
On the subject "The world around us" Grade 2 studies coniferous plants in more detail. The children begin to get acquainted with the most common families, learn to distinguish their characteristic features byphotographs. As part of the study of the coniferous forest in the 2nd grade, the teacher is also tasked with instilling in children a careful and caring attitude towards nature.
To create educational situations, riddles are often used, which is very effective in elementary school. About coniferous plants in the 2nd grade, children can make many different interesting riddles. For example, "For the New Year, everyone is happy with her, although her outfit is prickly" (the answer is spruce). This method achieves two results at once: the child's attention is concentrated and an educational situation arises.
The system, authored by Zankov, is especially popular in elementary school. Coniferous and flowering plants Grade 2 studies using interactive techniques. The class teacher often asks children to prepare reports on given topics. After preparing the report, it is imperative to speak with it in front of the class in order to convey information to other children. An important point is to teach children to listen to others, to be able to formulate and ask a good and interesting question, to support a discussion. This approach instills in students the ability to speak to an audience, communication skills. Children learn to argue and defend their position, to profitably present the results of their work.
Coniferous and flowering plants for grade 2 is a great occasion to distribute reports among children about various types of such plants. By this principle, you can build the entire lesson, and it will be highly effective.
Zankov Leonid Vladimirovich - Russian psychologist who proposed in the mid-ninetiesunique learning system. The hallmark of the system is its humanitarian nature and the personal development of children. Work according to such a system requires high skill and professionalism from the teacher.
What will children learn about conifers in their third year?
In the 3rd grade, coniferous plants also continue to be studied. Children get to know them in more detail, affect the representatives of conifers in their region, study the characteristics and characteristics of some species. The teacher begins to build with the students the simplest food chains in which conifers are involved.
As a current control of students' knowledge, teachers often conduct simple tests for grade 3 on coniferous trees. This method allows you to quickly assess the mastery of the material covered by the class, identify children who have poorly learned the information, and pay extra attention to working with them.
At the end of elementary school
In the 4th grade, which completes the children's mastering of the basic educational program of primary general education, more complex methods of working with children are used. One of these methods can be called project activity. The essence lies in the distribution (or choice at will) among students or groups of students of topics for developing a project. This approach allows not only to develop the individual qualities of children, but also to teach them to work in a team, which is very important. After the preparation of the project, as well as with the reports, they are defended.
Conclusion
Now the reader has discovered new facts about gymnosperms of the Coniferous class, whichwill help him take a fresh look at conifers when he meets them, classify them according to the generally accepted system. It is important to take care of these plants, because, being evergreen, they produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide all year round. Thanks to conifers, the air on our planet is becoming cleaner.
