Practice question

Living gymnosperm diversity dominated numerically by conifers division Pinophyta with approximately 630 extant species divided among Pinaceae pines firs, Cupressaceae cypresses junipers redwoods, Podocarpaceae, Araucariaceae, whereas cycads around 350 species tropical subtropical often endangered, gnetophytes 112 desert and tropical, ginkgo single species endangered wild. Conifers form extensive boreal taiga largest terrestrial biome and temperate rainforests forming biggest biomass ecosystems and timber resources. Abundance reflects adaptations: wind pollination producing copious saccate pollen, needle leaf drought freezing tolerance, resin defense and fire-adapted serotiny. Hence most abundant gymnosperms universally recognized as conifers in textbooks curricula.