Find-A-Feature: Conifer

By Educational Resources

Conifers

Western Ecological Research Center

WERC

Forest & Rangeland Ecological Science Center

FRESC

USGS Wildland Fire Science

Learn more

I am a...

Fire Ecologist

Welcome to Find-A-Feature Photo Challenge! Periodically, we will showcase a new geological or ecological feature and challenge you to find something similar in your neighborhood. Science is everywhere - take a look around! Show us what you see! Tag us on Twitter or Instagram (public accounts only) @USGS_YES or send your pic to usgs_yes@usgs.gov. 

This image shows conifer trees and the Grand Canyon in the background. — Conifers on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, AZ.

What are conifers? 

Conifers are trees that bear their seeds in cones.

Most conifers have needle-like or scale-like leaves and most of them keep their needles all year, so scientists often refer to these trees as “evergreens.”

Examples of conifer trees include species of pine, fir, cypress, juniper, sequoia, and more.

USGS Ecosystems Mission Area scientists study conifers, including research conducted at the Western Ecological Science Center in California/Nevada and the Forest and Rangeland Ecological Science Center in Oregon.

Researchers examine tree rings for anomalies.

What is dendrochronology? 

Dendrochronology is the study of tree growth rings, and can help scientists to understand rates of tree growth, historical temperatures and precipitation, fire history, and more - even records of avalanches. The USGS New Mexico Dendroecology Laboratory uses dendrochronolgy as a research tool to understand ecological research that focuses on the effects of climate variability on forest ecology, fire ecology, and ecohydrology. Much of the research is applied and is designed to inform forest, fire, and ecohydrology resource management.

Learn more about USGS tree ring research here: www.usgs.gov/center-news/tree-ring-science-offers-valuable-glimpse-environmental-climate-trends

Image: Red needles signify dying pines — Tree damage from mountain pine beetles (Credit: Marisa Lubeck, USGS. Public domain.)

How can beetles affect conifers?

Some species of beetles can harm conifers. Mountain pine beetle outbreaks can result in the loss of millions of pine trees throughout western North America. The beetles lay eggs and develop in the bark of pine trees, especially lodgepole, ponderosa, Scotch, and limber pines. The beetles carry fungus spores, which infect the trees. Both the beetles and the fungi eventually kill their host trees. In the Southern Rocky Mountains, an epidemic outbreak of mountain pine beetles (MPB) has caused levels of tree mortality unprecedented in recorded history. This USGS study, initiated in 2010, aims to increase understanding of MPB outbreaks and their impacts. Reddish, dry needles can be an indicator of pine beetle damage. Mountain pine beetles are tiny, but what the beetles can do to a pine forest can even be seen from space, as seen in this short video about pine beetle damage from USGS Earth Observation Resources and Science Center (EROS).

What about forest fires?

Learn all about USGS wildland fire science here: https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/fire, then learn about the tools of the trade with the “I am a Fire Ecologist” video and download this complimentary coloring sheet as well.

Image: Brain Coral Christmas — Christmas tree worms have made their home on a brain coral. Tropical corals reefs are complex ecosystems, but are rapidly being lost to bleaching and disease, linked to increasing water temperatures.

Wait a minute, that’s not a conifer!

Here’s one example of something that looks like a conifer, but isn’t: Christmas tree worms are worms that live underwater and can attach to corals! The goal of our Find-A-Feature Challenge is to find something near you that looks like a geologic or ecologic feature and this one fits the bill! What can you find near you that looks like a conifer?