The zone of Northern coniferous forests circles the planet's northern hemisphere, covering most of Russia, Northern Europe, and North America. Approximately 15 percent of the planet's land surface area is covered by coniferous forest. Northern coniferous forest is also known as boreal forest or taiga.

The plants of the coniferous zone – coniferous trees, mosses, lichens, blueberries and lingonberries – form large populations in the forests of the northern hemisphere. They have adapted to cold and dark winters.

Spruce and pine are the two most common tree species of boreal forests, creating large lumber and paper industries in many countries of the coniferous forest zone.

Northern coniferous forests receive large amounts of rainfall. However, as the temperatures remain quite low throughout the year, only a relatively small fraction of this water evaporates.


A pine forest during the spring. Coniferous trees begin photosynthesis directly after the temperature rises above zero degrees Celsius.​