Final answer:
The claim that the coniferous forest is the largest habitat on Earth is false; the largest biome is the marine biome. The boreal forest, or taiga, is extensive and characterized by long cold winters, short summers, and predominantly evergreen coniferous trees.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the coniferous forest is the largest habitat on Earth is false. In fact, the world's largest biome by area is the marine biome, which includes the oceans that cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface. However, the boreal forest, also known as the taiga or coniferous forest, is a vast region and a significant biome in its own right. Found between 50° and 60° north latitude across most of Canada, Alaska, Russia, and northern Europe, the boreal forest is characterized by long, cold winters and short summers, with annual precipitation ranging from 40 cm to 100 cm mainly in the form of snow. The cold-tolerant, evergreen coniferous trees like pines, spruce, and fir dominate these forests because they are better adapted to its acidic soils with little nitrogen availability, and their needle-shaped leaves enable them to start photosynthesis earlier in the spring than deciduous trees.