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tokenpocket钱包app中文版下载|biome

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2024-03-13 02:41:44

Biome | Definition, Map, Types, Examples, & Facts | Britannica

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1Terminology

2Classifications

Toggle Classifications subsection

2.1Holdridge (1947, 1964) life zones

2.2Allee (1949) biome-types

2.3Kendeigh (1961) biomes

2.4Whittaker (1962, 1970, 1975) biome-types

2.4.1Key definitions for understanding Whittaker's scheme

2.4.2Whittaker's parameters for classifying biome-types

2.4.3Biome-types

2.5Goodall (1974–) ecosystem types

2.6Walter (1976, 2002) zonobiomes

2.7Schultz (1988) eco-zones

2.8Bailey (1989) ecoregions

2.9Olson & Dinerstein (1998) biomes for WWF / Global 200

2.9.1Biogeographic realms (terrestrial and freshwater)

2.9.2Biogeographic realms (marine)

2.9.3Biomes (terrestrial)

2.9.4Biomes (freshwater)

2.9.5Biomes (marine)

2.9.6Summary of the scheme

3Other biomes

Toggle Other biomes subsection

3.1Marine biomes

3.2Anthropogenic biomes

3.3Microbial biomes

3.3.1Endolithic biomes

4Effects of climate change

5See also

6References

7Further reading

8External links

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Biome

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Biogeographical unit with a particular biological community

One way of mapping terrestrial (land) biomes around the world

A biome (/ˈbaɪ.oʊm/) is a distinct geographical region with specific climate, vegetation, and animal life. It consists of a biological community that has formed in response to its physical environment and regional climate.[1][2] Biomes may span more than one continent. A biome encompasses multiple ecosystems within its boundaries. It can also comprise a variety of habitats.

While a biome can cover small areas, a microbiome is a mix of organisms that coexist in a defined space on a much smaller scale. For example, the human microbiome is the collection of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that are present on or in a human body.[3]

A biota is the total collection of organisms of a geographic region or a time period, from local geographic scales and instantaneous temporal scales all the way up to whole-planet and whole-timescale spatiotemporal scales. The biotas of the Earth make up the biosphere.

Terminology[edit]

The term was suggested in 1916 by Clements, originally as a synonym for biotic community of Möbius (1877).[4] Later, it gained its current definition, based on earlier concepts of phytophysiognomy, formation and vegetation (used in opposition to flora), with the inclusion of the animal element and the exclusion of the taxonomic element of species composition.[5][6] In 1935, Tansley added the climatic and soil aspects to the idea, calling it ecosystem.[7][8] The International Biological Program (1964–74) projects popularized the concept of biome.[9]

However, in some contexts, the term biome is used in a different manner. In German literature, particularly in the Walter terminology, the term is used similarly as biotope (a concrete geographical unit), while the biome definition used in this article is used as an international, non-regional, terminology—irrespectively of the continent in which an area is present, it takes the same biome name—and corresponds to his "zonobiome", "orobiome" and "pedobiome" (biomes determined by climate zone, altitude or soil).[10]

In Brazilian literature, the term biome is sometimes used as synonym of biogeographic province, an area based on species composition (the term floristic province being used when plant species are considered), or also as synonym of the "morphoclimatic and phytogeographical domain" of Ab'Sáber, a geographic space with subcontinental dimensions, with the predominance of similar geomorphologic and climatic characteristics, and of a certain vegetation form. Both include many biomes in fact.[5][11][12]

Classifications[edit]

To divide the world into a few ecological zones is difficult, notably because of the small-scale variations that exist everywhere on earth and because of the gradual changeover from one biome to the other. Their boundaries must therefore be drawn arbitrarily and their characterization made according to the average conditions that predominate in them.[13]

A 1978 study on North American grasslands[14] found a positive logistic correlation between evapotranspiration in mm/yr and above-ground net primary production in g/m2/yr. The general results from the study were that precipitation and water use led to above-ground primary production, while solar irradiation and temperature lead to below-ground primary production (roots), and temperature and water lead to cool and warm season growth habit.[15] These findings help explain the categories used in Holdridge's bioclassification scheme (see below), which were then later simplified by Whittaker. The number of classification schemes and the variety of determinants used in those schemes, however, should be taken as strong indicators that biomes do not fit perfectly into the classification schemes created.

Holdridge (1947, 1964) life zones[edit]

Holdridge life zone classification scheme. Although conceived as three-dimensional by its originator, it is usually shown as a two-dimensional array of hexagons in a triangular frame.

Main article: Holdridge life zones

In 1947, the American botanist and climatologist Leslie Holdridge classified climates based on the biological effects of temperature and rainfall on vegetation under the assumption that these two abiotic factors are the largest determinants of the types of vegetation found in a habitat. Holdridge uses the four axes to define 30 so-called "humidity provinces", which are clearly visible in his diagram. While this scheme largely ignores soil and sun exposure, Holdridge acknowledged that these were important.

Allee (1949) biome-types[edit]

The principal biome-types by Allee (1949):[16]

Tundra

Taiga

Deciduous forest

Grasslands

Desert

High plateaus

Tropical forest

Minor terrestrial biomes

Kendeigh (1961) biomes[edit]

The principal biomes of the world by Kendeigh (1961):[17]

Terrestrial

Temperate deciduous forest

Coniferous forest

Woodland

Chaparral

Tundra

Grassland

Desert

Tropical savanna

Tropical forest

Marine

Oceanic plankton and nekton

Balanoid-gastropod-thallophyte

Pelecypod-annelid

Coral reef

Whittaker (1962, 1970, 1975) biome-types[edit]

The distribution of vegetation types as a function of mean annual temperature and precipitation.

Whittaker classified biomes using two abiotic factors: precipitation and temperature. His scheme can be seen as a simplification of Holdridge's; more readily accessible, but missing Holdridge's greater specificity.

Whittaker based his approach on theoretical assertions and empirical sampling. He had previously compiled a review of biome classifications.[18]

Key definitions for understanding Whittaker's scheme[edit]

Physiognomy: sometimes referring to the plants' appearance; or the biome's apparent characteristics, outward features, or appearance of ecological communities or species - including plants.

Biome: a grouping of terrestrial ecosystems on a given continent that is similar in vegetation structure, physiognomy, features of the environment and characteristics of their animal communities.

Formation: a major kind of community of plants on a given continent.

Biome-type: grouping of convergent biomes or formations of different continents, defined by physiognomy.

Formation-type: a grouping of convergent formations.

Whittaker's distinction between biome and formation can be simplified: formation is used when applied to plant communities only, while biome is used when concerned with both plants and animals. Whittaker's convention of biome-type or formation-type is a broader method to categorize similar communities.[19]

Whittaker's parameters for classifying biome-types[edit]

Whittaker used what he called "gradient analysis" of ecocline patterns to relate communities to climate on a worldwide scale. Whittaker considered four main ecoclines in the terrestrial realm.[19]

Intertidal levels: The wetness gradient of areas that are exposed to alternating water and dryness with intensities that vary by location from high to low tide

Climatic moisture gradient

Temperature gradient by altitude

Temperature gradient by latitude

Along these gradients, Whittaker noted several trends that allowed him to qualitatively establish biome-types:

The gradient runs from favorable to the extreme, with corresponding changes in productivity.

Changes in physiognomic complexity vary with how favorable of an environment exists (decreasing community structure and reduction of stratal differentiation as the environment becomes less favorable).

Trends in the diversity of structure follow trends in species diversity; alpha and beta species diversities decrease from favorable to extreme environments.

Each growth-form (i.e. grasses, shrubs, etc.) has its characteristic place of maximum importance along the ecoclines.

The same growth forms may be dominant in similar environments in widely different parts of the world.

Whittaker summed the effects of gradients (3) and (4) to get an overall temperature gradient and combined this with a gradient (2), the moisture gradient, to express the above conclusions in what is known as the Whittaker classification scheme. The scheme graphs average annual precipitation (x-axis) versus average annual temperature (y-axis) to classify biome-types.

Biome-types[edit]

Tropical rainforest

Tropical seasonal rainforest

deciduous

semideciduous

Temperate giant rainforest

Montane rainforest

Temperate deciduous forest

Temperate evergreen forest

needleleaf

sclerophyll

Subarctic-subalpine needle-leaved forests (taiga)

Elfin woodland

Thorn forest

Thorn scrub

Temperate woodland

Temperate shrublands

deciduous

heath

sclerophyll

subalpine-needleleaf

subalpine-broadleaf

Savanna

Temperate grassland

Alpine grasslands

Tundra

Tropical desert

Warm-temperate desert

Cool temperate desert scrub

Arctic-alpine desert

Bog

Tropical fresh-water swamp forest

Temperate fresh-water swamp forest

Mangrove swamp

Salt marsh

Wetland[20]

Goodall (1974–) ecosystem types[edit]

The multi-authored series Ecosystems of the World, edited by David W. Goodall, provides a comprehensive coverage of the major "ecosystem types or biomes" on Earth:[21]

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Natural Terrestrial Ecosystems

Wet Coastal EcosystemsDry Coastal EcosystemsPolar and Alpine TundraMires: Swamp, Bog, Fen, and MoorTemperate Deserts and Semi-DesertsConiferous ForestsTemperate Deciduous ForestsNatural GrasslandsHeathlands and Related ShrublandsTemperate Broad-Leaved Evergreen ForestsMediterranean-Type ShrublandsHot Deserts and Arid ShrublandsTropical SavannasTropical Rain Forest EcosystemsWetland ForestsEcosystems of Disturbed GroundManaged Terrestrial Ecosystems

Managed GrasslandsField Crop EcosystemsTree Crop EcosystemsGreenhouse EcosystemsBioindustrial EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems

Inland Aquatic Ecosystems

River and Stream EcosystemsLakes and ReservoirsMarine Ecosystems

Intertidal and Littoral EcosystemsCoral ReefsEstuaries and Enclosed SeasEcosystems of the Continental ShelvesEcosystems of the Deep OceanManaged Aquatic Ecosystems

Managed Aquatic EcosystemsUnderground Ecosystems

Cave Ecosystems

Walter (1976, 2002) zonobiomes[edit]

The eponymously named Heinrich Walter classification scheme considers the seasonality of temperature and precipitation. The system, also assessing precipitation and temperature, finds nine major biome types, with the important climate traits and vegetation types. The boundaries of each biome correlate to the conditions of moisture and cold stress that are strong determinants of plant form, and therefore the vegetation that defines the region. Extreme conditions, such as flooding in a swamp, can create different kinds of communities within the same biome.[10][22][23]

Zonobiome

Zonal soil type

Zonal vegetation type

ZB I. Equatorial, always moist, little temperature seasonality

Equatorial brown clays

Evergreen tropical rainforest

ZB II. Tropical, summer rainy season and cooler "winter" dry season

Red clays or red earths

Tropical seasonal forest, seasonal dry forest, scrub, or savanna

ZB III. Subtropical, highly seasonal, arid climate

Serosemes, sierozemes

Desert vegetation with considerable exposed surface

ZB IV. Mediterranean, winter rainy season and summer drought

Mediterranean brown earths

Sclerophyllous (drought-adapted), frost-sensitive shrublands and woodlands

ZB V. Warm temperate, occasional frost, often with summer rainfall maximum

Yellow or red forest soils, slightly podsolic soils

Temperate evergreen forest, somewhat frost-sensitive

ZB VI. Nemoral, moderate climate with winter freezing

Forest brown earths and grey forest soils

Frost-resistant, deciduous, temperate forest

ZB VII. Continental, arid, with warm or hot summers and cold winters

Chernozems to serozems

Grasslands and temperate deserts

ZB VIII. Boreal, cold temperate with cool summers and long winters

Podsols

Evergreen, frost-hardy, needle-leaved forest (taiga)

ZB IX. Polar, short, cool summers and long, cold winters

Tundra humus soils with solifluction (permafrost soils)

Low, evergreen vegetation, without trees, growing over permanently frozen soils

Schultz (1988) eco-zones[edit]

Schultz (1988, 2005) defined nine ecozones (his concept of ecozone is more similar to the concept of biome than to the concept of ecozone of BBC):[24]

polar/subpolar zone

boreal zone

humid mid-latitudes

dry mid-latitudes

subtropics with winter rain

subtropics with year-round rain

dry tropics and subtropics

tropics with summer rain

tropics with year-round rain

Bailey (1989) ecoregions[edit]

Robert G. Bailey nearly developed a biogeographical classification system of ecoregions for the United States in a map published in 1976. He subsequently expanded the system to include the rest of North America in 1981, and the world in 1989. The Bailey system, based on climate, is divided into four domains (polar, humid temperate, dry, and humid tropical), with further divisions based on other climate characteristics (subarctic, warm temperate, hot temperate, and subtropical; marine and continental; lowland and mountain).[25][26]

100 Polar Domain

120 Tundra Division (Köppen: Ft)

M120 Tundra Division – Mountain Provinces

130 Subarctic Division (Köppen: E)

M130 Subarctic Division – Mountain Provinces

200 Humid Temperate Domain

210 Warm Continental Division (Köppen: portion of Dcb)

M210 Warm Continental Division – Mountain Provinces

220 Hot Continental Division (Köppen: portion of Dca)

M220 Hot Continental Division – Mountain Provinces

230 Subtropical Division (Köppen: portion of Cf)

M230 Subtropical Division – Mountain Provinces

240 Marine Division (Köppen: Do)

M240 Marine Division – Mountain Provinces

250 Prairie Division (Köppen: arid portions of Cf, Dca, Dcb)

260 Mediterranean Division (Köppen: Cs)

M260 Mediterranean Division – Mountain Provinces

300 Dry Domain

310 Tropical/Subtropical Steppe Division

M310 Tropical/Subtropical Steppe Division – Mountain Provinces

320 Tropical/Subtropical Desert Division

330 Temperate Steppe Division

340 Temperate Desert Division

400 Humid Tropical Domain

410 Savanna Division

420 Rainforest Division

Olson & Dinerstein (1998) biomes for WWF / Global 200[edit]

Terrestrial biomes of the world according to Olson et al. and used by the WWF and Global 200.

Main article: Global 200

A team of biologists convened by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) developed a scheme that divided the world's land area into biogeographic realms (called "ecozones" in a BBC scheme), and these into ecoregions (Olson & Dinerstein, 1998, etc.). Each ecoregion is characterized by a main biome (also called major habitat type).[27][28]

This classification is used to define the Global 200 list of ecoregions identified by the WWF as priorities for conservation.[27]

For the terrestrial ecoregions, there is a specific EcoID, format XXnnNN (XX is the biogeographic realm, nn is the biome number, NN is the individual number).

Biogeographic realms (terrestrial and freshwater)[edit]

NA: Nearctic

PA: Palearctic

AT: Afrotropic

IM: Indomalaya

AA: Australasia

NT: Neotropic

OC: Oceania

AN: Antarctic[28]

The applicability of the realms scheme above - based on Udvardy (1975)—to most freshwater taxa is unresolved.[29]

Biogeographic realms (marine)[edit]

Arctic

Temperate Northern Atlantic

Temperate Northern Pacific

Tropical Atlantic

Western Indo-Pacific

Central Indo-Pacific

Eastern Indo-Pacific

Tropical Eastern Pacific

Temperate South America

Temperate Southern Africa

Temperate Australasia

Southern Ocean[30]

Biomes (terrestrial)[edit]

Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests (tropical and subtropical, humid)

Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests (tropical and subtropical, semihumid)

Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests (tropical and subtropical, semihumid)

Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests (temperate, humid)

Temperate coniferous forests (temperate, humid to semihumid)

Boreal forests/taiga (subarctic, humid)

Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands (tropical and subtropical, semiarid)

Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands (temperate, semiarid)

Flooded grasslands and savannas (temperate to tropical, fresh or brackish water inundated)

Montane grasslands and shrublands (alpine or montane climate)

Tundra (Arctic)

Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub or sclerophyll forests (temperate warm, semihumid to semiarid with winter rainfall)

Deserts and xeric shrublands (temperate to tropical, arid)

Mangrove (subtropical and tropical, salt water inundated)[28]

Biomes (freshwater)[edit]

According to the WWF, the following are classified as freshwater biomes:[31]

Large lakes

Large river deltas

Polar freshwaters

Montane freshwaters

Temperate coastal rivers

Temperate floodplain rivers and wetlands

Temperate upland rivers

Tropical and subtropical coastal rivers

Tropical and subtropical floodplain rivers and wetlands

Tropical and subtropical upland rivers

Xeric freshwaters and endorheic basins

Oceanic islands

Biomes (marine)[edit]

Biomes of the coastal and continental shelf areas (neritic zone):

Polar

Temperate shelves and sea

Temperate upwelling

Tropical upwelling

Tropical coral[32]

Summary of the scheme[edit]

Biosphere

Biogeographic realms (terrestrial) (8)

Ecoregions (867), each characterized by a main biome type (14)

Ecosystems (biotopes)

Biosphere

Biogeographic realms (freshwater) (8)

Ecoregions (426), each characterized by a main biome type (12)

Ecosystems (biotopes)

Biosphere

Biogeographic realms (marine) (12)

(Marine provinces) (62)

Ecoregions (232), each characterized by a main biome type (5)

Ecosystems (biotopes)

Example:

Biosphere

Biogeographic realm: Palearctic

Ecoregion: Dinaric Mountains mixed forests (PA0418); biome type: temperate broadleaf and mixed forests

Ecosystem: Orjen, vegetation belt between 1,100 and 1,450 m, Oromediterranean zone, nemoral zone (temperate zone)

Biotope: Oreoherzogio-Abietetum illyricae Fuk. (Plant list)

Plant: Silver fir (Abies alba)

Other biomes[edit]

Marine biomes[edit]

Further information: Marine habitats

Pruvot (1896) zones or "systems":[33]

Littoral zone

Pelagic zone

Abyssal zone

Longhurst (1998) biomes:[34]

Coastal

Polar

Trade wind

Westerly

Other marine habitat types (not covered yet by the Global 200/WWF scheme):[citation needed]

Open sea

Deep sea

Hydrothermal vents

Cold seeps

Benthic zone

Pelagic zone (trades and westerlies)

Abyssal

Hadal (ocean trench)

Littoral/Intertidal zone

Salt marsh

Estuaries

Coastal lagoons/Atoll lagoons

Kelp forest

Pack ice

Anthropogenic biomes[edit]

Further information: Anthropogenic biome

Humans have altered global patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. As a result, vegetation forms predicted by conventional biome systems can no longer be observed across much of Earth's land surface as they have been replaced by crop and rangelands or cities. Anthropogenic biomes provide an alternative view of the terrestrial biosphere based on global patterns of sustained direct human interaction with ecosystems, including agriculture, human settlements, urbanization, forestry and other uses of land. Anthropogenic biomes offer a way to recognize the irreversible coupling of human and ecological systems at global scales and manage Earth's biosphere and anthropogenic biomes.

Major anthropogenic biomes:

Dense settlements

Croplands

Rangelands

Forested

Indoor[35]

Microbial biomes[edit]

Main article: Microbiome

Further information: Habitat § Microhabitats

Endolithic biomes[edit]

The endolithic biome, consisting entirely of microscopic life in rock pores and cracks, kilometers beneath the surface, has only recently been discovered, and does not fit well into most classification schemes.[36]

Effects of climate change[edit]

Anthropogenic climate change has the potential to greatly alter the distribution of Earth's biomes.[37][38] Meaning, biomes around the world could change so much that they would be at risk of becoming new biomes entirely.[39] More specifically, 54% and 22% of global land area will experience climates that correspond to other biomes.[37] 3.6% of land area will experience climates that are completely new or unusual.[40][41] Average temperatures have risen more than twice the usual amount in both arctic and mountainous biomes,[42][43][44] which leads to the conclusion that arctic and mountainous biomes are currently the most vulnerable to climate change.[42]

South American terrestrial biomes have been predicted to go through the same temperature trends as arctic and mountainous biomes.[45][46] With its annual average temperature continuing to increase, the moisture currently located in forest biomes will dry up.[45][47]

This section is an excerpt from Effects of climate change on biomes.[edit]

Holdridge life zones, one of the earliest ways of classifying biomes, will see significant shifts throughout the century: a shift of 1 indicates that the region had fully moved into a completely different zone type. The extent of the shifts will be dependent on the severity of the climate change scenario followed.[48]

Climate change has already been altering biomes, adversely affecting terrestrial[49] and marine[50] ecosystems alike.[51] Climate change represents the long-term alteration of temperature and average weather patterns,[52][53] in addition to a substantial increase in both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.[54] As the area's climate changes, a change in its flora and fauna follows.[55] For instance, out of 4000 species analyzed by the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, half were found to have shifted their distribution to higher latitudes or elevations in response to climate change.[56]

The Five Major Types of Biomes

Five Major Types of BiomesEducationSign InMenuDonateARTICLEOpen Educational ResourceOpen Educational ResourceARTICLEOEROERThe Five Major Types of BiomesThe Five Major Types of BiomesA biome is a large community of vegetation and wildlife adapted to a specific climate.Grades5 - 8SubjectsBiology, Ecology‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌Loading ...Background InfoVocabularyLearning materialsInstructional LinksFive Major Types of Biomes (Google Doc)A biome is a large area characterized by its vegetation, soil, climate, and wildlife. There are five major types of biomes: aquatic, grassland, forest, desert, and tundra, though some of these biomes can be further divided into more specific categories, such as freshwater, marine, savanna, tropical rainforest, temperate rainforest, and taiga.Aquatic biomes include both freshwater and marine biomes. Freshwater biomes are bodies of water surrounded by land—such as ponds, rivers, and lakes—that have a salt content of less than one percent. Marine biomes cover close to three-quarters of Earth’s surface. Marine biomes include the ocean, coral reefs, and estuaries.Grasslands are open regions that are dominated by grass and have a warm, dry climate. There are two types of grasslands: tropical grasslands (sometimes called savannas) and temperate grasslands. Savannas are found closer to the equator and can have a few scattered trees. They cover almost half of the continent of Africa, as well as areas of Australia, India, and South America. Temperate grasslands are found further away from the equator, in South Africa, Hungary, Argentina, Uruguay, North America, and Russia. They do not have any trees or shrubs, and receive less precipitation than savannas. Prairies and steppes are two types of temperate grasslands; prairies are characterized as having taller grasses, while steppes have shorter grasses.Forests are dominated by trees, and cover about one-third of the Earth. Forests contain much of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, including insects, birds, and mammals. The three major forest biomes are temperate forests, tropical forests, and boreal forests (also known as the taiga). These forest types occur at different latitudes, and therefore experience different climatic conditions. Tropical forests are warm, humid, and found close to the equator. Temperate forests are found at higher latitudes and experience all four seasons. Boreal forests are found at even higher latitudes, and have the coldest and driest climate, where precipitation occurs primarily in the form of snow.Deserts are dry areas where rainfall is less than 50 centimeters (20 inches) per year. They cover around 20 percent of Earth’s surface. Deserts can be either cold or hot, although most of them are found in subtropical areas. Because of their extreme conditions, there is not as much biodiversity found in deserts as in other biomes. Any vegetation and wildlife living in a desert must have special adaptations for surviving in a dry environment. Desert wildlife consists primarily of reptiles and small mammals. Deserts can fall into four categories according to their geographic location or climatic conditions: hot and dry, semiarid, coastal, and cold.A tundra has extremely inhospitable conditions, with the lowest measured temperatures of any of the five major biomes with average yearly temperatures ranging from -34 to 12 degrees Celsius (-29 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit). They also have a low amount of precipitation, just 15–25 centimeters (six to ten inches) per year, as well as poor quality soil nutrients and short summers. There are two types of tundra: arctic and alpine. The tundra does not have much biodiversity and vegetation is simple, including shrubs, grasses, mosses, and lichens. This is partly due to a frozen layer under the soil surface, called permafrost. The arctic tundra is found north of boreal forests and the alpine tundra is found on mountains where the altitude is too high for trees to survive. Any wildlife inhabiting the tundra must be adapted to its extreme conditions to survive.The National Geographic Society is making this content available under a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-SA license. The License excludes the National Geographic Logo (meaning the words National Geographic + the Yellow Border Logo) and any images that are included as part of each content piece. For clarity the Logo and images may not be removed, altered, or changed in any way.CreditsMedia CreditsThe audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.DirectorTyson Brown, National Geographic SocietyAuthorNational Geographic SocietyProduction ManagerGina Borgia, National Geographic SocietyProgram SpecialistsSarah Appleton, National Geographic Society, National Geographic SocietyMargot Willis, National Geographic SocietySpecialist, Content ProductionClint ParksProducerAndré Gabrielli, National Geographic SocietyotherLast UpdatedJanuary 22, 2024User PermissionsFor information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.MediaIf a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. 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Biomes

esEducationSign InMenuDonateENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRYENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRYBiomesBiomesA biome is an area of the planet that can be classified according to the plants and animals that live in it.Grades5 - 12+SubjectsEarth Science, Geography, Physical Geography‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌Loading ...Powered byArticleVocabularyA biome is an area of the planet that can be classified according to the plants and animals that live in it. Temperature, soil, and the amount of light and water help determine what life exists in a biome.A biome is different from an ecosystem. An ecosystem is the interaction of living and non-living things in an environment. A biome is a specific geographic area notable for the species living there. A biome can be made up of many ecosystems. For example, an aquatic biome can contain ecosystems such as coral reefs and kelp forests.Not all scientists classify biomes in the same way. Some use broad classifications and count as few as six biomes. These are forest, grassland, freshwater, marine, desert, and tundra.Other scientists use more precise classifications and list dozens of different biomes. For example, they consider different kinds of forests to be different biomes. Tropical rain forests that are warm and wet year-round are one biome. Temperate deciduous forests—those that have cold winters, warm summers, and are dominated by trees that lose their leaves—are a different biome. Taiga forests, which are in cold regions and are dominated by cone-bearing firs and spruces, are yet another biome.Boundaries between biomes are not always sharply defined. For instance, there are sometimes transition zones between grassland and forest biomes. Coasts and wetlands are transition zones between terrestrial and aquatic biomes.Biomes move as the climate changes. Ten thousand years ago, parts of North Africa were lush landscapes cut by flowing rivers. Hippopotamuses, giraffes, and crocodiles lived amid abundant trees. Gradually, the climate dried out. Today, this region is part of the Sahara Desert, the world's largest desert.Fast FactBountiful BiomesThere are more than a dozen ways to classify biomes. Climatologists, botanists, ecologists, biologists, and anthropologists have different criteria for deciding what constitutes a biome. One of the simplest classification systems has only two biomes: terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water). One of the most complex has more than a dozen.Articles & ProfilesUniversity of California: Museum of Paleontology—The World's BiomesNASA Earth Observatory: Mission BiomeWindows to the Universe: The Ocean BiomeMissouri Botanic Gardens: Biomes of the WorldCreditsMedia CreditsThe audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.WritersKim RutledgeMelissa McDanielSantani TengHilary HallTara RamroopErin SproutJeff HuntDiane BoudreauHilary CostaIllustratorsMary Crooks, National Geographic SocietyTim GuntherEditorsJeannie Evers, Emdash Editing, Emdash EditingKara WestEducator ReviewerNancy WynneProducerNational Geographic SocietyotherLast UpdatedOctober 19, 2023User PermissionsFor information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.MediaIf a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.TextText on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service.InteractivesAny interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives.Related ResourcesNational Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036ABOUTNational Geographic SocietyNatGeo.comNews and ImpactContact UsExploreOur ExplorersOur ProgramsEducationNat Geo LiveStorytellers CollectiveTraveling ExhibitionsJoin UsWays to GiveApply for a GrantCareersdonateget updatesConnectNational Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. © 1996 - 2024 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.Privacy Notice|Sustainability Policy|Terms of Service|Code of Eth

Biome: Definition, Types, Characteristics & Examples | Sciencing

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Dianne Dotson In ecosystems, organisms interact with each other and their environment. A biome is a very large geographical area that is bigger than an ecosystem. Biomes are named and categorized based on the climate, plants and animals that exist there. Biome Definition & Characteristics A biome is a large area of land that is classified based on the climate, plants and animals that make their homes there. Biomes contain many ecosystems within the same area. Land-based biomes are called terrestrial biomes. Water-based biomes are called aquatic biomes. Temperatures, precipitation amounts and prevalent organisms characterize the biomes of the world. Terrestrial Biome Examples Terrestrial biomes include tropical rainforests, temperate forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra, taiga, savanna and chaparral. 1. Chaparral Biome Scrubland and few trees characterize chaparral. Chaparral receives between 25 and 30 inches of rain annually, chiefly in winter. Dry summers mean dormancy for many plants. Chaparral can be found throughout southern California and Baja, Mexico. 2. Desert Biome Desert biomes receive less than 12 inches of precipitation annually and experience very high temperatures. Desert subtypes include hot and dry, semiarid, coastal and cold (Arctic). Plants are adapted for low rainfall. Animals use burrowing or have nocturnal activity to escape scorching daytime temperatures. Some types of desert species include yuccas, cacti, reptiles, small mammals and burrowing owls. Example: the Mojave Desert of the American Southwest. 3. Tundra Biome The coldest biome, the treeless Arctic tundra, receives only about 60 growing days and low precipitation. Plants consist mostly of shrubs, lichens, mosses, sedges and liverworts. Tundra animals include lemmings, caribou, migratory birds, mosquitos, flies and fish. Example: the High Arctic Tundra in the islands of the Arctic Ocean. 4. Taiga Biome Taiga (boreal forest) extends south of the Arctic Circle. Taiga endures long, dry winters, cool, wet summers and a 130-day growing season. Annual precipitation ranges from about 16 to 40 inches, typically as snow. Taiga hosts coniferous trees and low plants. Animal species of the taiga include bears, moose, lynx, deer, hares and woodpeckers, among others. Example: Interior Alaska-Yukon lowland taiga. 5. Grassland Biome Grasslands represent biomes dominated by grass. The hot, tropical savanna takes up nearly half of Africa as well as parts of India, South America and Australia. Savannas receive concentrated rainfall for several months and then drought. Few trees dot the grassy savanna. Temperate grassland includes steppes, veldts and prairies. Moderate precipitation, rich soils, hot summers and cold winters distinguish this biome. The few trees grow along rivers. Some animals include deer, gazelles, birds, insects and larger predators such as wolves and lions. 6. Rainforest Biome The tropical rainforest biome contains the world’s greatest biodiversity. Located near the equator, this biome experiences equal day length, warm temperatures and up to 200 inches of rain annually. These conditions lead to prolific plant growth in levels from the forest floor to the canopy. Epiphytic plants grow on trees and other vegetation. The Amazon Rainforest is an excellent example of a tropical rainforest biome. Temperate rainforests are found in higher latitudes, with cooler temperatures but significant amounts of precipitation. Evergreens, mosses and ferns thrive there. The Olympic National Park of Washington State hosts temperate rainforests. 7. Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome Temperate deciduous forests populate eastern North America, central Europe and northeastern Asia. Distinct seasons, consistent precipitation and varied temperatures yield a diverse biome. Deciduous broadleaf trees, evergreens and other plants flourish. This biome hosts many animal species including deer, rabbits, bears, birds, insects and amphibians. Example: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 8. Alpine Biome The mountainous alpine biome exists only at high altitudes. At those levels, trees do not grow. Alpine regions receive about 180 days of growing season. A number of shrubs, grasses and heaths thrive. Mammals such as sheep, elk, goats and pikas flourish. Some bird species and several types of insects live there. Example: the high Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. Aquatic Biome Examples Aquatic biomes are related to bodies of water. 1. Freshwater Biomes Freshwater biomes contain water with very low salt concentrations and include wetlands, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. Lakes and ponds undergo thermal mixing. These biomes host fish, waterfowl, algae, crustaceans and microorganisms. Rivers and streams constantly move toward either lakes or oceans. Their current speed affects the kinds of species that live in them, as well as water clarity. Example: the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. 2. Marine Biomes Marine biomes include the oceans of the world, the largest aquatic biomes, characterized by saltwater. Oceans possess various layers related to sunlight’s penetration. The intertidal zone hugs the shoreline and is greatly affected by tides and waves. The neritic zone extends to the continental shelf. Enough sunlight penetrates for photosynthesis to take place. Seaweeds are often found here. The oceanic or pelagic zone extends farther and experiences a mix of temperatures due to current. Large fish and sea mammals ply this zone. The benthic zone is a deep region beyond the continental shelf. Here sea stars, fish and sponges line the ocean floor. The abyssal zone represents the deepest ocean zone. High pressure, cold temperatures and essentially no sunlight characterize this zone. 3. Wetlands Biome Wetlands are shallow bodies of water such as bogs, marshes, swamps and mudflats. They provide habitat for many plants and animals. Water flow is steady in freshwater wetlands. Example: the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Orange County, California. 4. Coral Reef Biome Coral reefs exist in shallow parts of some tropical oceans. Made of calcified remains from coral animals, these reefs build up over time and provide habitat for many underwater species. The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is a large example of a coral reef biome. 5. Estuary Biome Estuaries lie where ocean meets fresh water. Plants tolerating the salinity changes are called halophytic. Estuaries offer important breeding grounds for crustaceans and well as waterfowl. An example of a large estuary biome is that of the Florida Everglades. Related Articles Different Biome Types Where Are the Temperate Zones Located? Animals & Plants in the Aquatic Biome Abiotic & Biotic Factors of Polar Regions Definition of a Land Ecosystem What Are Some Abiotic Factors in a Temperate Rain Forest? The Characteristics of a Humid, Tropical Climate What Foods Do Animals Eat in the Tundra? Tundra Characteristics 10 Examples of a Natural Ecosystem What Are Interesting Facts About the Marine Biome? Main Types of Ecosystems Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Savanna Grassland What Are the 8 Ecosystems? Aquatic Ecosystem Facts Plants & Animals in the Taiga Biome The Average Rainfall in a Fresh Water Ecosystem Life Forms That Can Survive in the Humid Subtropical... Animals in a Temperate Climate Alaskan Tundra Facts References Lumen Learning Module 25: Ecology of Living Things: Biomes UC Museum of Paleontology: The Aquatic Biome UC Museum of Paleontology: The Desert Biome UC Museum of Paleontology: The Forest Biome UC Museum of Paleontology: The Tundra Biome UC Museum of Paleontology: The Grassland Biome KCET: Exploring Southern California's Wetlands WWF: Interior Alaska-Yukon Lowland Taiga Radford University Biomes of the World: Tundra About the Author J. Dianne Dotson is a science writer with a degree in zoology/ecology and evolutionary biology. She spent nine years working in laboratory and clinical research. A lifelong writer, Dianne is also a content manager and science fiction and fantasy novelist. Dianne features science as well as writing topics on her website, jdiannedotson.com. Find Your Next Great Science Fair Project! GO Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. Whether you need help solving quadratic equations, inspiration for the upcoming science fair or the latest update on a major storm, Sciencing is here to help. Sciencing About Contact Careers Facebook Twitter Legal Accessibility Privacy Notice Cookie Notice Manage Preferences California Notice of Collection Terms of Use Copyright Policy © 2024 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. ⨯ Dont Go! We Have More Great Sciencing Articles! Different Biome Types Where Are the Temperate Zones Located? Animals & Plants in the Aquatic Biome Abiotic & Biotic Factors of Polar Regions Definition of a Land Ecosystem What Are Some Abiotic Factors in a Temperate Rain Forest?

Biomes – What Is A Biome, Different Types Of Biomes

iomes – What Is A Biome, Different Types Of Biomes Skip to content Menu AnimalsAnimals: The Ultimate GuideTypes Of AnimalsA to Z AnimalsEndangered AnimalsWeird AnimalsUltimate GuidesBookstoreFree Printable WorksheetsExplore Active WildAnimal HabitatsFreshwater AnimalsOcean AnimalsRainforest AnimalsForest AnimalsTaiga AnimalsDesert AnimalsMountain AnimalsGrassland AnimalsAnimals Around The WorldAfrican AnimalsAntarctic AnimalsArctic AnimalsAsian AnimalsAustralian AnimalsEuropean AnimalsNorth American AnimalsSouth American AnimalsDinosaursTriassic DinosaursJurassic DinosaursCretaceous DinosaursTypes of DinosaursThe Triassic PeriodThe Jurassic PeriodThe Cretaceous PeriodCool DinosaursFamous DinosaursNature NewsAbout Active WildActive Wild BooksContactPrivacyTerms Of Service Biomes – What Is A Biome, Different Types Of Biomes May 17, 2023 by Active Wild AdminDifferent regions of Earth are categorized into biomes, depending on shared factors such as physical geography and climate. On this page we look at what a biome is, and the main types of biomes found on Earth. Page IndexWhat Is A Biome?What Are The Main Types Of Biomes?What Is The Difference Between Biome And Habitat?Tropical Rainforest BiomeTemperate ForestDesertTundraTaiga / Boreal ForestGrasslandSavanna BiomeFreshwater BiomeMarine BiomeShrubland BiomeWhat Is A Biome?A biome is a large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region defined by its climate and geography. Biomes are characterized by specific types of vegetation and animal life which have adapted to the conditions of the area, which include temperature, soil type, and amount of light and rain. Each biome plays a crucial role in the Earth's overall ecosystem.Several different types of biomes have been identified. Each is characterized by distinct climate conditions and supports unique ecosystems of plants and animals.Listed below are the most frequently-used types of biomes. Each type is covered in further detail further down the page.What Are The Main Types Of Biomes?Tropical Rainforest: Found near the equator, tropical rainforests are hot and humid all year round. The tropical rainforest biome is the world's most biodiverse terrestrial biome and is home to a vast number of plant and animal species.Temperate Forest: Located in North America, Europe, and Asia, temperate forests experience all four seasons and are a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees.Desert: Deserts are arid (dry) regions with drastic temperature swings and are home to uniquely adapted animals and plants.Tundra: The tundra is the coldest biome on Earth, and is characterized by long winters, low biodiversity, permafrost (permanently-frozen ground) and animal and plant species with special adaptations for living in these inhospitable conditions.Taiga (Boreal Forest): Located in high latitudes, the taiga biome (also known as boreal forest) consists of forests primarily composed of coniferous trees, and has a long, cold winter with a correspondingly short growing season.Shrubland: also known as chaparral or Mediterranean biome, the shrubland biome is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, supporting a plant community dominated by dense, hardy shrubs and small trees.Grassland: Grasslands are characterized by landscapes dominated by grasses, with few, if any, trees.Savanna: Located in Africa, South America, and Australia, savannas are open woodlands with trees separated by grasses.Freshwater Biomes: Freshwater biomes include rivers, lakes, and wetlands.Marine Biomes: Marine biomes encompass the world's oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries.What Is The Difference Between Biome And Habitat?A biome refers to a large ecological area on the planet's surface with similar climate conditions, such as temperature and rainfall patterns, that can be broadly categorized into types like deserts, forests, or tundra. It is made up of various ecosystems and is characterized by distinctive vegetation, wildlife, and climate conditions.A habitat, on the other hand, is the specific environment within a biome where a particular organism lives. It is the immediate home of a living organism, and it includes physical factors such as soil, moisture, range of temperature, and availability of light, as well as biotic factors such as the availability of food and the presence of predators. For example, within the forest biome, a bird's habitat could be the specific type of tree where it builds its nest.Page IndexTropical Rainforest BiomeThe Amazon rainforest - the world's biggest and best-known rainforest.The tropical rainforest biome is characterized by high temperatures and high rainfall year-round, with no distinct dry season. Tropical rainforests are found near the equator, with major rainforests located in South America (the Amazon), Central Africa (the Congo), and Southeast Asia.The tropical rainforest biome is the most biodiverse terrestrial biome. Rainforests host a tremendous variety of plant species, including numerous types of trees, vines, ferns, and flowering plants. Many trees in the rainforest grow to great heights, creating a layered structure consisting of (from highest to lowest) the emergent layer, canopy, understory, and forest floor. The canopy layer forms a dense roof that shades the forest floor and harbors a wealth of animals and plants.Animal life in the tropical rainforest is incredibly diverse and includes numerous species of insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Creatures like monkeys, parrots, jaguars, and poison dart frogs are well-known inhabitants of these forests, but there are countless other species, many of them not yet discovered or studied by scientists.Despite covering only a small portion of the Earth's surface, tropical rainforests are critical for the health of the planet. They play a significant role in maintaining global climate patterns and are home to an estimated half of all species on Earth. However, these forests are threatened by deforestation due to logging, mining, and agriculture, particularly the cultivation of palm oil and cattle ranching.You can find out more about the tropical rainforest biome on this page: Rainforest Biome FactsYou can see examples of rainforest animals on this page: Rainforest AnimalsYou can see examples of rainforest plants on this page: Rainforest PlantsPage IndexTemperate ForestA temperate forest in the Northern HemisphereThe temperate forest biome consists of forests that grow in the temperate zones (the region located between the tropics and the polar regions) of both hemispheres. This biome is found in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Australia and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere. Temperate forests experience four distinct seasons.Temperate forests are dominated by broadleaf deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, beech, and birch, which lose their leaves in the fall to conserve water during the cold winter months. Some regions of temperate forest also include evergreen conifers. The forest floor hosts a variety of ferns, mosses, and fungi, along with a rich layer of decaying leaves that contributes to the fertility of the soil.Animal life in temperate forests is diverse. Mammals in these regions range from small creatures like squirrels, rabbits, and foxes to larger animals such as deer and bears. Many bird species inhabit these forests, some year-round and others migrating with the changing seasons. Amphibians and reptiles, like frogs, salamanders, and snakes, are also common, as are a variety of insects and spiders.The temperate forest biome, with its rich soil and diverse plant and animal life, is an essential global resource. It plays a significant role in carbon sequestration, and it's also a primary source of timber and other forest products for human use.You can find out more about forests on this page: ForestsDiscover forest animals on this page: Forest AnimalsYou can find out more about temperate rainforests on this page: Temperate Rainforest FactsPage IndexDesertThe Sahara DesertThe desert biome is characterized by low precipitation, with deserts often experiencing less than 25 cm of rain per year, and extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night. Deserts can either be “hot” (e.g., the Sahara Desert in Africa and the Sonoran Desert in North America) or “cold” (e.g., the Gobi Desert in Asia)Despite the harsh conditions, deserts are home to a variety of specially adapted plants and animals. Plant life in deserts often includes cacti, succulents, and hardy shrubs, all of which have adapted to conserve water and withstand extreme temperatures. Cacti, for example, have thick, waxy skins to reduce water loss, and store water in their tissues to survive during periods of drought.Animal life in the desert is equally adapted to the harsh environment. Creatures such as camels, snakes, lizards, scorpions, coyotes, and various rodents have developed unique ways to survive the extreme conditions. Many desert animals are nocturnal, active during the cooler night hours, and have adaptations for conserving water, such as highly efficient kidneys.Deserts cover about one-fifth of the Earth's surface and are found on every continent.You can find out more about the desert biome on this page: Desert BiomeYou can see examples of desert animals on this page: Desert AnimalsYou can see examples of desert plants on this page: Desert PlantsOther desert pages on Active Wild:Deserts Of The World List: 20 Famous Deserts, With Facts, Pictures & InformationNorth American Deserts: Facts On The Four Major Deserts Of North AmericaPage IndexTundraTundra In WinterThe tundra biome is the coldest of all the biomes and is characterized by a treeless landscape and a layer of permanently frozen subsoil, which is known as permafrost.Tundra is primarily found in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, encircling the North Pole and extending to the taiga biome. This biome also exists at high altitudes in mountains, where it is known as alpine tundra, and on Antarctica.Plant life in the tundra includes mosses, lichens, grasses, and dwarf shrubs, all of which are adapted to withstand extreme cold and high winds.Animal species in the tundra have likewise adapted to the harsh environment. Tundra mammals include the Arctic fox, polar bear, caribou, and snow hare. The tundra is the breeding ground of many bird species, most of which migrate to warmer regions during the winter.Despite its harsh conditions and relative lack of biodiversity, the tundra plays a crucial role in the world's climate regulation and is particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change.You can find out more about the tundra biome on this page: Tundra BiomeYou can see examples of tundra animals on this page: Tundra AnimalsPage IndexTaiga (Boreal Forest)The taiga, also known as boreal forest or coniferous forest, is the largest terrestrial biome. It is primarily located in high northern latitudes around the globe, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. The climate of the taiga is characterized by long, cold winters and short, mild summers.The taiga is dominated by evergreen trees, primarily conifers such as spruce, fir, and pine. These trees have needle-like leaves and a conical shape, adaptations that help them shed heavy snow and resist the cold. The soil in the taiga tends to be thin and nutrient-poor, with a layer of permanently frozen soil, or permafrost, existing in the northernmost regions.Animal life in the taiga has adapted to its harsh climate. Mammal species include lynx, bears, wolves, deer, elk, and small mammals such as voles and squirrels. Many bird species either inhabit the taiga year-round or migrate there for the summer breeding season. These include owls, hawks, and various songbirds.The taiga plays a significant role in climate regulation and is a critical carbon sink due to its vast forests.You can find out more about the taiga biome on this page: Taiga BiomeYou can see examples of taiga animals on this page: Taiga AnimalsYou can see examples of taiga plants on this page: Taiga PlantsPage IndexGrasslandA North American GrasslandThe grassland biome consists of large, open terrains dominated by grasses (grasses are flowering plants in the family Poaceae), with few, if any, woody plants such as trees and shrubs.Grasslands have fertile soil and moderate rainfall. They typically have a wet and dry season and experience frequent fires, which help to maintain the grass dominance and prevent the encroachment of trees and shrubs.Grasslands are found on every continent except Antarctica and are typically located in the interior regions of continents, away from the cooling influence of the ocean. They occur in both tropical and temperate regions.Examples of grasslands include the American Great Plains, the pampas of South America, and the steppes of Eurasia.You can find out more about the grassland biome on this page: Grassland BiomeYou can see examples of grassland animals on this page: Grassland AnimalsPage IndexSavanna BiomeAfrican savannaThe savanna biome is characterized by a mix of grasses and scattered trees, forming an open woodland. Savannas are typically found near the equator, primarily in Africa, but also in South America, India, and Australia. The climate of the savanna features a distinct wet and dry season, with the dry season seeing frequent fires that help maintain the grassland and prevent the spread of the forest.Plant life in the savanna includes various grass species, and trees such as acacia, baobab and eucalyptus (in Australia). Savanna plants must be able to withstand long periods of drought.Savannas are known for their rich wildlife, particularly large mammals. African savannas are home to many of the world's most recognizable animals, including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and wildebeests.Page IndexFreshwater BiomeLake Baikal is the world's largest freshwater lake by volume.The freshwater biome encompasses all the bodies of fresh water around the globe, including rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands. Unlike marine biomes, freshwater biomes have low salt concentration. Freshwater covers only between 1% and 2.5% of the Earth’s surface.Freshwater biomes are vital for a wide variety of life. The plant life in these areas ranges from small aquatic plants and grasses to larger species such as reeds and water lilies.Freshwater habitats are home to various species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Insects are particularly numerous, including species like dragonflies, mosquitoes, and water striders.Freshwater biomes also play a crucial role for humans, providing water for drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectric power.You can find out more about the freshwater biome on this page: Freshwater BiomeYou can see examples of freshwater animals on this page: Freshwater AnimalsPage IndexMarine BiomeA coral reefThe marine biome is the largest biome on Earth, covering about 70% of the planet's surface. It includes the five main oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Southern), as well as smaller seas, bays, and estuaries. The marine biome is characterized by its saltwater environment and varies greatly in temperature, pressure, and light availability, with conditions becoming more extreme as depth increases.The marine biome supports a wide variety of life forms. At the surface, where sunlight penetrates the water, there are diverse species of phytoplankton and seaweed, forming the base of many marine food chains. Coral reefs, often called the "rainforests of the sea," are particularly rich in biodiversity, supporting thousands of species within a small area.Animal life in the marine biome is incredibly diverse. The ocean is home to a vast array of fish species (including sharks and rays); marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and seals; sea turtles; invertebrates such as starfish, squid, crabs, and coral; and a wide variety of seabirds. The deep-sea regions, despite their harsh conditions, also host life, including unique species adapted to extreme pressure, low temperatures, and the absence of light.You can find out more about the marine biome on this page: Marine BiomeYou can see examples of ocean animals on this page: Ocean AnimalsPage IndexShrubland BiomeShrubland in CaliforniaShrubland, also known as chaparral or scrub, is a biome characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The vegetation is dominated by dense shrubs and small trees, along with grasses and herbs. The soil tends to be shallow and rocky.Shrublands are found in several regions around the world, including the Mediterranean Basin, parts of California in the United States (where it's often referred to as chaparral), central Chile, southwestern Australia, and the Western Cape of South Africa.The plant species that thrive in shrublands have adapted to the harsh climate by developing deep roots for accessing water, thick bark to resist fires, and small, leathery leaves to reduce water loss. Examples include various types of oaks, manzanita, chamise, and scrub pines.The animal species found in shrublands are also well-adapted to the conditions. Many are nocturnal or crepuscular to avoid the heat of the day. Examples include coyotes, jackrabbits, and various reptiles in the chaparral of California, while the Mediterranean shrublands are home to creatures like the Iberian lynx and the Mediterranean tortoise. Many bird species, such as scrub jays and quails, are also common.You can find out more about the chaparral on this page: Chaparral BiomePage Index Categories World FactsTundra Animals List With Pictures & Interesting FactsExplore Active Wild: Main Pages & SectionsSUBSCRIBE to our newsletter and get a FREE Animal Kingdom Fact Sheet. Click here or on the image to join up, or click here for more information.Active Wild News and facts on animals, natural history and science.Click the picture above for more details & to view free sample pages!Download Active Wild Apps!Search Active WildSearchLove Natural History? Subscribe To Our FREE NewsletterJoin the thousands of Active Wild subscribers who receive free wildlife and science news & info direct to their inboxes!Click the link below to find out more and to sign up! 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What is a Biome? - Internet Geography

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The Natural Environment iGCSE Geography

The main types and features of volcanoes

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Distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes

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Population and settlement – iGCSE Geography

Introduction to population

World Population Increase

Over-population and under-population

The main causes of a change in population size

Natural Population Change

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A country with a rate of high population growth – China

A country which is over-populated – Bangladesh

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What is migration and why do people migrate?

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International migration from Syria to Europe

Population structure

Population Pyramids

Japan – A country with a high dependent population

What is population density?

What factors affect population density and distribution?

A case study of a sparsely populated area – Himalayan Mountains

A case study of a densely populated area – Greater London

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Patterns of settlement

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Development, population change and the demographic transition model

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Strategies for reducing the development gap

How can the growth of tourism reduce the development gap? Jamaica Case Study

How can the growth of tourism reduce the development gap? Tunisia Case Study

What is Nigeria’s location and importance?

What is Nigeria’s wider context?

How is Nigeria’s economy changing?

What is the role of transnational companies in Nigeria?

How are Nigeria’s trading and political relationships changing?

International Aid in Nigeria

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Economic change in the UK

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Climate Change

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Coasts

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Constructive Waves

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What is chemical and mechanical weathering?

What is mass movement?

What is coastal erosion?

Cliffs and wave-cut platforms

Landforms of coastal erosion

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Erosion of a headland

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Landforms of coastal deposition

Salt Marsh

How are sand dunes formed?

Coastal Management

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Coastal Realignment

Sandscaping at Bacton

Happisburgh Case Study

Blakeney Point Case Study

The Holderness Coast – Case Study

Dorset Coast – Case Study

Chesil Beach

Durdle Door

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Old Harry Rocks

Earthquakes

What is an earthquake?

Why do earthquakes happen?

What are the effects of earthquakes?

How are earthquakes measured?

What factors influence the effects and response to tectonic activity?

Two Earthquakes Compared – Nepal and L’Aquila

Can the risks of earthquakes be reduced?

What is a tsunami?

The Kobe Earthquake 1995

The 1999 Turkish Earthquake

Earthquakes in California

Gujarat Earthquake 2001

L’Aquila Earthquake 2009

Haiti Earthquake 2010

Japan Earthquake 2011

Christchurch Earthquake Case Study

Nepal Earthquake 2015

Amatrice Earthquake Case Study

Lombok Indonesia Earthquake 2018 Case Study

2018 Sulawesi Indonesia Earthquake and Tsunami Case Study

Ecosystems

What is an ecosystem?

What is a Biome?

Humans and the Biosphere

How do changes affect the balance of an ecosystem?

UK Ecosystems

Epping Forest Case Study

The Tropical Rainforest

What is a Tropical Rainforest?

Where are tropical rainforests located?

What is the structure of the tropical rainforest?

What is the climate of the rainforest?

The nutrient cycle in the rainforest

How has rainforest vegetation adapted to the climate?

How have animals adapted to the rainforest environment?

Biodiversity and Tropical Rainforests

Changing rates of rainforest deforestation

What are the causes of deforestation in the Amazon?

What are the effects of deforestation in the Amazon?

What is the value of the tropical rainforest?

Sustainable Management of the Tropical Rainforest

Sustainable Management of the Amazon Rainforest

Temperate Deciduous Woodland

What is a Temperate Deciduous Woodland?

Where are Temperate Deciduous Woodlands Located?

What is the structure of the Temperate Deciduous Woodland?

How did the temperate deciduous woodland get like this?

How has the vegetation in the temperate deciduous forest adapted to the climate?

What is the impact of humans on the temperate deciduous woodland?

Sustainable development in the Temperate Deciduous Woodland

Taiga

What is Taiga?

Where is Taiga located?

How did the Taiga get like this?

What is the impact of humans on the Taiga?

Sustainable development in the Taiga

Savanna

What is savanna?

Where is savanna located?

How did the savanna get like this?

What is the impact of humans on the savanna?

Sustainable development in the savanna

Desert

What is a hot desert?

Where are deserts located?

Why are deserts located along the tropics?

Interdependence in the hot desert

Biodiversity in hot deserts

How has hot desert vegetation adapted to the climate?

How have animals adapted to the desert?

Opportunities and Challenges in the Sahara Desert

Opportunities and Challenges in the Thar Desert

Opportunities and Challenges in the Western Desert

What is the impact of humans on the desert?

Reducing the risk of desertification

Sustainable development in the desert – The Great Green Wall

Cold Environments – Polar and Tundra

What are cold environments?

Where are polar and tundra environments located?

What are the physical characteristics of cold environments?

How have animals adapted to cold environments?

How have plants adapted to cold environments?

How is a cold environment interdependent?

Alaska Case Study

Svalbard Case Study

Where is Tundra located?

Protection of cold environments as wilderness areas

How did Tundra get like this?

What is the impact of humans on Tundra?

Environmental Problems

What is Acid Rain?

What problems are caused by acid rain?

What is the greenhouse effect?

What is global warming?

What causes global warming?

What problems are caused by global warming?

What are the benefits of global warming?

Erosion and Weathering

What is erosion?

What does scenery formed by erosion look like?

What is weathering?

What are the different types of weathering?

Food Resources

What are the differences in global calorie intake and food supply?

Why is demand for food growing?

What affects the amount of food we have?

How does food insecurity affect people?

How does food insecurity affect the environment?

How can we increase the amount of food produced globally?

What is the new green revolution?

Almería in Spain: a large-scale agricultural development

What is a sustainable food supply?

Sustainable Food Supplies in an LIC – Bangladesh

Glaciation

What is glaciation?

How do glaciers erode?

How do glaciers move?

How do glaciers transport material?

Why does glacial deposition happen?

Glacial Landforms – Upland Features

Which landforms result from moving or melting ice?

Glacial Landforms – Lowland Features

Glacial landforms in the Lake District

Economic activities in glaciated upland areas

Glaciation Photo gallery – Goat Fell, Isle of Arran

Urban Growth in India – Mumbai

What is the location and importance of Mumbai?

Why is Mumbai growing?

What are Mumbai’s social and economic opportunities?

What challenges have been caused by urban growth in Mumbai?

How is urban planning improving the quality of life for the urban poor in Mumbai?

Urban Growth in Nigeria – Lagos

Location of Lagos

The Growth of Lagos

What causes population growth in Lagos?

How has urbanisation helped Nigeria to develop?

How has the growth of Lagos caused inequality?

Economic opportunities and challenges in Lagos

Lagos squatter settlements

Lagos Water Supply and Pollution

Traffic Congestion in Lagos

Urban Planning in Lagos

Urban Growth in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

How is urban planning improving the quality of life for the urban poor in Rio de Janeiro?

What is the location and importance of Rio de Janeiro?

How has Rio de Janeiro grown?

What are the social and economic opportunities associated with the growth of Rio?

What challenges are associated with the growth of Rio?

How is urban planning improving the quality of life for the urban poor in Rio de Janeiro?

Limestone

What is limestone?

How does weathering affect limestone?

Limestone (karst features) – Overview

Limestone features below ground

Limestone features above ground

Limestone and Recreation

How are limestone landscapes used?

Limestone Case Study – Malham, The Yorkshire Dales

Sustainable management of quarrying

Migration

What is migration?

What are the main types of migration?

Why do people migrate?

Push and Pull Factors

Migration into Europe

Plate Tectonics

Structure of the Earth

Plate Boundaries

What is continental drift?

Why do tectonic plates move?

Where do volcanoes and earthquakes happen?

Conservative Plate Margins

Constructive Plate Margins

Destructive Plate Margins

Volcanic Hot Spots

Pacific Ring of Fire

Fold Mountains

Population

What is population distribution?

What is population density?

What factors affect population density?

How has world population changed?

What causes population change?

What is life expectancy?

What is the Demographic Transition Model?

What are population pyramids?

Population change in LEDCs

Case Study: China

Population Case Study: Kerala, India

Population change in MEDCs

Resources

Types of Energy

Non-renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

Resource Management

The significance of food, water and energy

An overview of global inequalities in the supply and consumption of resources

The demand for food in the UK

Carbon footprints, ‘food miles’ and moves towards local sourcing of food

Why is there a trend towards agribusiness?

How has demand for water in the UK changed?

Carbon footprints, ‘food miles’ and moves towards local sourcing of food

Water quality and pollution management in the UK

Where are the areas of water deficit and surplus in the UK?

Water Transfer in the UK

How is demand for energy changing in the UK?

How is the UK’s energy mix changing?

What are the economic and environmental issues of energy production?

Rivers

Weathering and mass movement in river valleys

How do rivers erode?

How do rivers transport material?

Why do rivers deposit sediment?

How does geology affect the formation of river landforms?

The Long Profile of a River

Cross profiles of a river

Landforms in the upper course of a river

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Landforms in the lower course of a river

How do weather and climate affect river landscapes?

Human activity in River Landscapes

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How does flooding affect humans and the environment?

The River Tees – landforms of erosion and deposition

The Water Cycle

What is a river basin?

River Discharge

Flood Hydrographs

River Flooding and Management

Rivers – Hard Engineering

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Case Study – Ganges/Brahmaputra River Basin

The Great Floods of 2000

Kerala flood case study

Rocks, Resources and Scenery

Geological time is on a different time to human time

Rock Types and the Rock Cycle

Rock and Weathering

Different rocks create contrasting landforms and landscapes

How are granite landscapes used?

How are limestone landscapes used?

What is the impact of quarrying?

Sustainable management of quarrying

Settlements

What is a settlement?

What is the site and situation of a settlement?

What are the functions of a settlement?

What is a settlement hierarchy?

What do we mean by land use?

What are land use zones?

CBD

Inner City

Suburbs

Rural Urban Fringe

What are landuse models?

What are landuse models in MEDCs like?

What are landuse models for LEDCs like?

What are shanty towns / favelas?

What are shanty town improvement schemes?

Tourism

What is tourism?

How has tourism grown?

What is the impact of tourism?

Tourism in an MEDC – The UK

What are National Parks?

The National Parks of England and Wales

Problems in National Parks

Castleton A tourist honey pot in The Peak District

Castleton – Case Study Page

Tourism in an LEDC – Kenya

Ecotourism

Ecotourism – Case Study

Urbanisation

What is urbanisation?

What causes urbanisation?

Million Cities

What is a megacity?

Counter-urbanisation

Urban Problems in LEDCs

Case Study – Rio de Janerio

Case Study – Favela

Self Help Schemes

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Case Study – Inner City Redevelopment – London’s Docklands

Volcanoes

What is a volcano?

Where are volcanoes located?

What is the Ring of Fire?

What are active, dormant and extinct volcanoes?

What are the main features of a volcano?

What are the different types of volcanoes?

What are lahars and pyroclastic flows?

What is a supervolcano?

Why do people live close to volcanoes?

Can the risks of volcanic eruptions be reduced?

The 1980 eruption of Mount St Helens

The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo

The 2000 eruption of Popocatepetl

The 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi

Eyjafjallajokull Case Study

Anak Krakatau & Sunda Strait Tsunami Indonesia Case Study 2018

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What are climate zones?

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What are climate graphs?

What is an air mass?

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Why is the weather of the UK so changeable?

What are the air masses that affect the UK?

What is precipitation?

What is relief rainfall?

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What is global atmospheric circulation?

What is atmospheric pressure?

What is high pressure?

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Weather hazards in the UK

Extreme weather in the UK – Beast from the East

Extreme Weather in the UK Summer Heatwave 2018

Extreme Weather in the UK – Storm Ciara

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What are tropical storms?

How do tropical storms form?

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Cyclone Idai Case Study

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Typhoon Haiyan Case Study

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What is a biome?Biomes are very large ecological areas, e.g. tropical rainforests.

What is a biome?

Biomes are very large ecological areas e.g. tropical rainforest. The map below shows 10 of the world’s main biomes.

A map to show the main biomes of the world

The distribution of ecosystems is affected by local factors including:

climate

altitude

soil type

Climate (rainfall, temperature and sunshine hours) is the main factor that influences the distribution of ecosystems. On a smaller scale, altitude and soil type become more important.

Altitude, height above sea level, affects the growth of vegetation. Higher altitudes are colder so fewer plants grow. This also limits the number of animal species that can thrive. Cold environments also have thin soils due to the lack of organic matter available to decompose and form soil.

Soil types also affect the diversity of plants and animals. Nutrient-rich soils can support more vegetation. The acidity, drainage and thickness of soils also affect whether plants can grow.

Biomes contain fauna and flora (animals and plants) that have adapted to the environment. Biomes are often defined by abiotic (non-living) factors such as climate, relief, geology, soils and vegetation.

Tropical rainforest

23.5° north – 23.5° south of the equator.

Hot and wet all year.

Around 12 hours of sunshine all year round.

Rich in plants and animals.

Almost all plants are evergreen (they don’t drop their leaves in a particular season).

Plants grow quickly and are adapted to take in maximum light.

Dense vegetation provides food and habitats for many species of animals.

Poor soils as nutrients are rapidly recycled as leaves decompose quickly, providing a constant supply of nutrients to the soil.

Tropical grassland or savanna

Within the tropics. Mainly between 5° and 15° north and south of the equator.

Lots of sunshine throughout the year.

Relatively low rainfall (800-900mm).

Hot with a wet and dry season.

Fires are common in the dry season.

Temperatures are highest (around 35°C) just before the wet season and lowest (around 15°C) just after it.

Mainly grass, scrub, small plants and a few specially adapted trees e.g. acacia. These plants are adapted to recover quickly after a fire.

Many species of insects.

Large mammals such as lions, elephants, giraffes and zebras.

Thin, nutrient-rich soil formed as the grass dies back or burns during the dry season.

Nutrients are washed out (leached) during the wet season.

Desert

15-30° north and south of the equator.

Located in a belt of high pressure (sinking air) and low rainfall.

Low rainfall (less than 250 mm per year).

It might only rain once every two or three years.

Very hot and dry.

High range in temperatures between very cold night temperatures (0°C) and hot daytime temperatures (e.g. 45°C)

Hot deserts get more daylight during the summer than in the winter.

There is little cloud cover because they get lots of sunshine hours during the day.

Plant growth is sparse due to limited rainfall.

Vegetation includes cacti and thornbushes.

Many plants have a short life cycle and appear only when it rains.

Limited plants.

Relatively few animals species, those that do exist have adapted to the harsh climate including scorpions, lizards, snakes and insects.

Sparse vegetation means there is little leaf litter and high temperatures mean it is slow to decompose, leading to soils being thin and nutrient-poor.

Mediterranean

30-40° north and south of the equator.

West coasts.

Hot, dry summers and warm, wet winters.

Mainly scrub vegetation – plants adapted to summer drought.

Mixed and Deciduous forest / Temperate forests

40-60° north and south of the equator.

High rainfall and mild temperatures in the mid-latitudes.

Four distinct seasons.

Warm summers and cool winters.

Rain throughout the year, up to 1500 mm per year.

Days are shorter in winter and longer in summer.

Hours of sunshine vary throughout the year.

Fewer plant species than tropical rainforests.

Rich deciduous woodlands.

Forests are made up of broad-leaved trees that drop their leaves in autumn e.g. oak, shrubs and undergrowth.

Mild climate and range of plants provide food and habitats for mammals such as foxes, squirrels and mice, birds and insects.

Plants lose their leaves in autumn, and leaf litter decomposes quickly, so soils are nutrient-rich and relatively thick.

Temperate grassland

40-60° north and south of the equator (higher altitude and latitudes than tropical grasslands).

250-500mm of rainfall each year, mainly in late spring, early summer.

Hot summers (up to 40°C) and very cold winters (down to -40°).

Light varies throughout the year.

Quite low rainfall.

Mainly grassland vegetation.

Rainfall is too low to support large plants, so there are few trees.

Home to fewer species of animals than tropical grasslands.

Mammals include bison and wild horses and rodents such as mole rats.

Decomposition happens quickly in summer due to high temperatures. So soils are relatively thick and nutrient-rich.

Coniferous forest (Taiga) / Boreal Forest

High latitudes, 60° north of the equator and on mountains.

Long, cold winters (-20°C)

Short, mild summer (-10°C)

Limited precipitation (less than 500mm per year). Most of this falls as snow.

Lots of daylight during the summer months, little or none during the winter.

Clear skies so plenty of sunshine during daylight hours.

Most trees are evergreen, so they can grow whenever there is enough sunlight.

Coniferous trees such as pine and fir are common, as are low-growing lichen and mosses.

Relatively few animals species because of the lack of food available.

Animals include black bears, wolves and elk.

Needles decompose slowly due to cold temperatures, so soils are thin, nutrient-poor and acidic.

The soil is frozen for most of the year due to cold temperatures.

Tundra

Far north, above 60°N in Northern Europe, Alaska and Russia.

Below freezing for most of the year.

Summer 5-10°C, winter -30°C.

Low precipitation – less than 250mm per year, most of which falls as snow.

Near-continuous sunlight during the summer, and little or no sunlight during the winter.

There is more cloud cover in the summer.

Few trees due to lack of light in the winter. Vegetation includes mosses, grasses and low shrubs.

Relatively few species of animals. Examples include Arctic hares, Arctic foxes and birds.

Some animals migrate south during the winter.

Sparse vegetation produces little leaf litter and organic matter decomposes slowly due to the cold temperatures.

Soil is thin and nutrient-poor.

Below the soil surface, there is a layer of permanently frozen land (permafrost).

Light snow.

Montane

Very cold.

Thin soils.

Limited vegetation.

Polar

Very cold all year round.

A permanent or semi-permanent layer of ice.

Mainly found in the Arctic and Antarctic.

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What Makes A Biome?

Makes A Biome?EducationSign InMenuDonateARTICLEleveledARTICLEleveledWhat Makes A Biome?What Makes A Biome?Biomes are typically characterized by the resident biota within them. Currently, there is a disagreement in the scientific community about what exactly makes a biome.Grades3 - 12SubjectsBiology, Ecology, Conservation, Earth ScienceImageDeciduous Forest FallTrees in a deciduous forest during the fall.Photograph by Clarita Berger/National Geographic CreativeSelected text levelDefaultBackground InfoVocabularyEach biome, or community of plants and animals in a certain climate, has life-forms characteristic of that place. For instance, the plants and animals that inhabit the Amazon rainforest are completely distinct from those in the Arctic tundra. However, not everyone agrees on exactly what constitutes a biome and defining them presents a challenge.Defining BiomesBiomes are sometimes confused with similar ecological concepts, such as habitats and ecosystems. Ecosystems are the interactions between biota, such as plants and animals, within the environment, and many ecosystems can make up a single biome. Nutrient and energy flow also play a critical role in ecosystems. A habitat, on the other hand, is specific to a population or species; it is the area in which that group lives. Meanwhile, biomes describe life on a much larger scale than either habitats or ecosystems.The term “biome” was first used in 1916 by Frederic E. Clements, an American ecologist, to describe the plants and animals in a given habitat. In 1939, it was further defined by Clements and fellow ecologist Victor Shelford. Over time scientists continued to expand and refine the definition of biome and related concepts in the burgeoning field of ecology, and in 1963, Shelford characterized the following biomes: tundra, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, grassland, and desert. Later, ecologist Arthur Tansley created a separate definition for ecosystems, which was more inclusive of biological processes than the definition of a biome.What unites all biome definitions is that biomes can be differentiated by the organisms residing there and by the climate, as well as the fact that the organisms within a biome share adaptations for that particular environment. Climate is a major factor in determining types of life that reside in a particular biome, and there are several factors that influence climate, such as latitude, geographic features, and atmospheric processes disseminating heat and moisture.Biome TypesThe number of biomes that exist is debated by scientists. While some aspects of the definition are widely agreed upon (climate and resident life), some definitions broaden to include factors like biodiversity and human activity. Although definitions may not be consistent, several types of biomes typically emerge from the definitions: tundras, deserts, grasslands, deciduous forests, coniferous forests, tropical rainforests, and aquatic.Tundra BiomesThe tundra are located at the northernmost parts of the globe and is defined by long, cold winters and cool summers. The animals and plants that reside here have evolved adaptations that allow them to survive in this frigid environment, such as thick fur and the ability to hibernate.Desert BiomesLocated in both cold and warm climates across the globe, deserts are defined by their dryness, and life in these areas are adapted to a lack of water and nutrients.Grassland BiomesThe grassland biome, which is found on every continent except Antarctica, is characterized as being flat and grassy, with scant tree cover. Large mammals that graze, such as elephants or bison, inhabit these areas, along with small mammals, birds, and predators.Coniferous Forest BiomesThese areas—known as taigas or boreal forests—experience long, cold winters, short summers, and heavy precipitation. Within this biome, the primary vegetation types are conifers and evergreen trees. Sometimes this category is split into another category, known as the temperate forest, which does not experience temperatures as cold. One example of this warmer forest would be the west coast of North America, a humid forest system home to redwoods and cedars.Deciduous Forest BiomesLocated in eastern North America, Western Europe, and northeastern Asia, this biome is marked by broad-leafed trees, such as maple and oak, that lose their leaves seasonally as the temperatures begin to drop. Overall, these regions are temperate, but still have a distinct winter season.Tropical Rainforest BiomesThese equatorial regions are warm and wet with diverse vegetation that forms a canopy. Leaf litter on the ground and the humid conditions create a layer of nutrients above the low-quality soil, which allows for the growth of a wide variety of vegetation. In fact, tropical rainforests are famous for hosting vast amounts of biodiversity.Aquatic BiomesThere are numerous ways to classify aquatic biomes, and often freshwater and saltwater biomes are defined separately; factors used for classification include water depth, temperature, and salinity. The terrestrial biomes are typically classified by vegetation types, but this method can be difficult to apply to aquatic environments, which do not have as much visible plant life.Limitations of Defining BiomesAlthough biomes are often thought of as distinctly defined regions, in reality, they are not clearly delineated. Biomes do not typically have precise boundaries; instead, there are frequently transition zones between biomes. These zones are referred to as ecotones, and they can be naturally occurring or created by humans.Further, many biome definitions exclude humans. However, some scientists believe that human presence is an integral part in defining biomes, and they posit that most biomes are actually primarily influenced by humans. Similarly, scientists are beginning to recognize how the results of human activities, such as habitat destruction and climate change, will change how biomes are defined in the future.NASA Earth Observatory: Mission BiomeVideoKhan Academy: Ecosystems and BiomesCreditsMedia CreditsThe audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.DirectorTyson Brown, National Geographic SocietyAuthorNational Geographic SocietyProduction ManagersGina Borgia, National Geographic SocietyJeanna Sullivan, National Geographic SocietyProgram SpecialistsSarah Appleton, National Geographic Society, National Geographic SocietyMargot Willis, National Geographic SocietyProducerClint ParksInternRoza KavakotherLast UpdatedOctober 19, 2023User PermissionsFor information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.MediaIf a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.TextText on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service.InteractivesAny interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives.Related ResourcesNational Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036ABOUTNational Geographic SocietyNatGeo.comNews and ImpactContact UsExploreOur ExplorersOur ProgramsEducationNat Geo LiveStorytellers CollectiveTraveling ExhibitionsJoin UsWays to GiveApply for a GrantCareersdonateget updatesConnectNational Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. © 1996 - 2024 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.Privacy Notice|Sustainability Policy|Terms of Service|Code of Eth

Biome - Definition and Examples - Biology Online Dictionary

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Biome

n., plural: biomes

[ˈbaɪoʊm]

Definition: A major regional biological community

Table of Contents

ToggleBiome DefinitionBiome CharacteristicsTypes Of Biomes1. Forests:A. Tropical rainforests:B. Temperate forestC. Boreal forest (Taiga)2. Deserts3. Tundra4. Grassland5. Freshwater6. MarineBiome ExamplesQuizSend Your Results (Optional)References

Biome Definition

What are biomes? There is no universal definition of biomes. But biome definition in biology of different biomes reveals the ecological truth by testing hypotheses. Biomes are the great communities of the world. They are classified according to their specific characteristics, such as the climate, vegetation, soil, and wildlife. Biomes are important. They change constantly during history since they are damaged because of, for instance, human activities. Therefore, we should continue the preservation and conservation of biomes.

Some people are confused with different ecological concepts, such as biomes and ecosystems. An ecosystem refers to a system of interactions between different living species, such as plants and animals, in a certain environment Thus, the main difference between biome and ecosystem is that the ecosystem is a part of a biome. Therefore, several ecosystems will form a biome.

Biome (biology definition): A major ecological community of organisms adapted to a particular climatic or environmental condition on a large geographic area in which they occur.

Biome Characteristics

What is a biome? A biome meaning is simply a large environment generally characterized by various abiotic factors (e.g. temperature, amounts of precipitation, pH, light intensity, and so on) and biotic factors. There are many ways to classify biomes. One of them is according to climate– whether it is hot, dry, cold, rainy, or humid. Biomes are formed as a result of physical climates that consequently affects the soil, precipitation, and wildlife.

Types Of Biomes

There are 6 biomes in the world. Four of which are land biomes: forest, desert, grassland, and tundra, in addition to the two aquatic biomes: i.e. marine and freshwater. These biomes are subdivided into specific types, e.g. temperature rainforest, tropical rainforest, taiga, and savanna.

Forests are considered to be important homes for several biotic communities. They serve as a habitat and food source for various animals. As such, one may find various microhabitats within a forest. Moreover, forests serve in the climate-buffering global capacity; therefore, forest destruction may lead to great changes in the local or the global climate.

The marine and freshwater biome types represent the most important examples of biomes since water is the main constituent of all living organisms. It is a major biomolecule of life. Additionally, a great number of living species live in marine and freshwater. Oceans have a great effect on the global climate even more than forests as the earth’s surface is covered mainly by waters.

In addition to its contribution to maintaining the atmospheric temperature, the Earth’s hydrosphere (water component) contains a huge number of photosynthetic planktons that produce oxygen that supports the large population of aerobic organisms thriving in oceans, seas, and freshwater.

Read these free lessons on Freshwater Ecology Tutorial.

Even though freshwater biomes are one of the most important world biomes they suffer greatly from pollution. Overfishing, for instance, makes these biomes unstable and harms many organisms within these systems. Read this tutorial on the conservation efforts made to recover the toheroa population in New Zealand that significantly declined due to overharvesting.

Biomes are useful for ecological studies since they help in defining the ecosystem changes using the remote sensing satellite. Biomes may also give us information about the functioning of ecosystems. For example, the productivity of ecosystems, the function of plants, or climate changes.

Figure 1: World biome map showing the earth biomes in different regions around the world. Credit: NASA.

Earth biome map is constructed either using the knowledge of experts as well as the vegetation maps of different regions or using satellites. Satellites, such as A-train, are used to monitor the Earth’s meteorology, for instance, taking satellite images, and remote sensing. NASA Earth Observatory is an online repository of various satellite imagery.

Satellite-based biome maps are more accurate and objective regarding the different threshold of climate that influences the biome boundaries. The biome map of the world helps in comparing the different ecosystems in different areas around the world. The same biome in different parts of the world might contain different species and different ecological systems. This variance aids in studying the evolutionary and ecological processes in different regions.

Figure 2: Afternoon Train (A-train), a satellite constellation. As of 2020, CloudSat and CALIPSO are no longer part of the A-train. Credit: NASA – A-train diagram

Different types of biomes found in the biomes map are shown in the following biomes list where further biome facts are shown to explain biomes meaning:

1. Forests:

Forests are covered in trees. They contain great biodiversity of species such as birds, insects, and mammals. There are three major biomes of forests, which are tropical forests, temperate forests, and boreal forests (Taiga). These forests experience different conditions of the climate since they occur in different regions. Therefore, different types of forests are classified as follows:

A. Tropical rainforests:

Tropical rainforests are more like jungles. They are close to the equator where the weather is rainy and warm all year. Several species live in tropical rainforests as well as a great number of trees that serve as shelters to many animals, and also contribute to oxygen production and maintain climate buffering capacity.

Figure 3: A typical structure of a rainforest. Source: Maria Victoria Gonzaga of BiologyOnline.

Figure 4: A rainforest. (Pxhere)

B. Temperate forest

In temperate forests, all four seasons of the year alternate throughout the year, in the fall, leaves of trees shed and fall, through winter, trees are inactive. Moreover, through the winter you can find bears, deer, and woodpeckers.

Figure 5: Temperate forest. (Pxhere)

C. Boreal forest (Taiga)

This biome represents the largest terrestrial (land) biome on earth. Taiga biome is characterized by the presence of conical-shaped trees called conifers. The boreal forests have cold, dry, and long winters where most of the birds migrate and mammals hibernate. Some animals remain active and grow during winter. Therefore, they have fur or feathers to warm their bodies and thus, are capable of living in cold conditions.

Figure 6: Taiga forest. (Pxhere)

2. Deserts

Deserts represent biomes of the highest temperature of all biomes. However, they get very cold during the winter. The extreme swinging in the temperature contributes to the presence of extreme environments in the desert where several species migrate to underground shelters to live in more stable temperatures so that they can survive. Moreover, animals and plants living in desert biomes are mostly able to live for a long period without water.

Figure 7: Desert. (Pxhere)

3. Tundra

Tundra biome is cold and flat, it is characterized by the lowest temperature of all biomes as well as poor nutrients in the soil, which consequently lead to the presence of short plants, such as moss, shrubs, lichens, and grasses that grow during summer since a thick ice layer is present below the soil throughout the year, which is called the permafrost. Therefore, trees cannot grow their roots into the soil because they cannot penetrate the ice layer. Birds may be found nesting in the tundra during the summer but they migrate again during the winter to other areas of higher temperature. Mammals, such as mice, live in tunnels below the snow during the winter.

Tundra biome is greatly threatened as the climate changes greatly affect it. Global warming disrupts the tundra biome, its permafrost, and species living in it.

Figure 8: Tundra. (Pxhere)

4. Grassland

Grasslands contain no trees; only short to tall grasses. These lands do not get adequate rain to grow trees since the weather is usually dry and warm. However, they get the rain that is enough to grow some herbs, flowers, and grasses. Large mammals that travel in herds are often found in grasslands.

There are two types of grasslands: (1) temperate grasslands and (2) savannah (tropical grasslands), The savanna is often found near the equator. They receive seasonal rainfalls; therefore, trees usually grow singly or in groups throughout the biome. Animals with long legs usually live there. They are seen in herds and can escape predators, e.g. by running.

Humans have greatly affected the grassland biome. In the United States, most of the grasslands having rich soil have been used for grazing cattle or agriculture. Different species were affected, from the small animals like s the monarch butterfly to the various large animals such as elephants. Losing large animals, e.g. by excessive hunting, will disturb the ecological balance of an ecosystem. For instance, losing grasses will eventually lead to the loss of grazing animals such as zebras, which are a food source of predators or carnivores in the area.

Figure 9: Grassland. (Pixabay)

5. Freshwater

Freshwater contains low salt concentration, i.e. is about less than one percent. Freshwater biomes include rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Read this Freshwater Ecology tutorial to learn how living things in freshwater ecosystems adapt to their environment.

Figure 10: Lake Alpe dei Cavalli (also Lake Cheggio or Lake dei Cavalli ). (Pxhere)

Figure 11: A typical structure of a lake ecosystem. Source: Maria Victoria Gonzaga of BiologyOnline.

6. Marine

The marine biome is the largest biome in the world, it covers almost 70% of the world. It includes five major oceans of the world: the Arctic Ocean, Southern Ocean, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. Marine water has high concentrations of salt, therefore, plants and animals in marine waters adapt to high concentrations of salt by getting rid of excess salt or by increasing the uptake of water (homeostasis).

Figure 12: Sea. (Pixabay)

Biomes may be classified into:

Terrestrial biomes or land biomes – e.g. tundra, taiga, grasslands, savannas, deserts, tropical forests, etc.

Freshwater biomes – e.g. large lakes, polar freshwaters, tropical coastal rivers, river deltas, etc.

Marine biomes – e.g. continental shelf, tropical coral, kelp forest, benthic zone, pelagic zone, etc.

Biome Examples

Forests cover about one-third of the earth. They are distributed in various geological regions. One example is the temperate forests found in Eurasia and eastern North America. Several species are found in temperate forests, including squirrels, deer, and bears. Another type of forests are the tropical forests They are found near the equator in regions such as Central America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan regions. Examples of animals thriving in tropical forests are large birds and harpy eagles. The taiga (Boreal forests) are found across Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and Siberia. Deer, moose, and large herbivores are found in Boreal forests.

Figure 13: the Olympic National Park in Washington, United States is an example of the forest biome. (Pixabay)

Deserts cover about 20% of the earth (one fifth) divided into four categories depending on their climate or location which are: hot, cold, coastal, and semiarid. The Sahara desert covers most of the continent of Africa. It is a known arid desert. Another desert biome is found in the southwest of the United States, the Moava desert. Some areas of North America, Asia, Greenland, and Europe are covered with semiarid deserts, an example of coastal desert in South America is the Atacama desert of Chi, additionally, a famous cold desert is the Antarctic.

Figure 14: cacti in the Arizona desert adapt to the lack of water by having pipes that store water. (Snappygoat)

There are two types of tundra and both are found over high-latitude lands: (1) the alpine and (2) the arctic tundra. The alpine tundra is found over very high mountains where the temperature falls overnight. The arctic tundra is found in the north of boreal forests on high landmasses in Russia, Iceland, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Alaska.

Animals in tundra build layers of fat to keep their temperature during winter. They are covered in fur to insulate them. Tundra animals include small mammals, such as ground squirrels and large mammals (e.g. caribou). Tundra carnivores such as snowy owls, polar bears, arctic foxes, and wolves are on the top of the tundra food chain. They mostly develop white feathers or fur for camouflage in snow during winter.

Figure 15: the tundra biome lacks trees due to the presence of a permafrost layer so trees cannot grow roots, moreover, there is a low amount of water that cannot support trees. Credit: Ian Mitchell, Creative Commons Licence.

Savannas cover most of the continent of Africa, some areas of India, Asia, Australia, and South America. Temperate grasslands are found away from the equator covering areas in Argentine, Eastern Europe, North America, and Russia. Temperate grasslands have no shrubs or trees. Savanna and temperate grasslands may seem similar but actually, they are different regarding several aspects. For example, elephants are not found in the United States temperate grasslands but they are found in the Savannas of Africa. In contrast, prairie dogs are usually found in temperate grasslands.

Figure 16: grazing giraffes on grassland in Uganda. Credit: Bernard Dupont – (photo), CC BY-SA 2.0

Freshwater and marine biomes cover about 75% of the Earth. Rainwater or melting glaciers are the main sources of freshwater running rivers and streams. They usually empty in an ocean or a lake whereas lakes and ponds represent the stationary forms of freshwater. Oceans are saltwater bodies that span around most of the surface of the earth, Various living species live in marine biomes, in deep oceans, there is insufficient light to support photosynthesis, however, many creatures undergo chemosynthesis to survive. Coral reefs are formed in shallow oceans, they are made up of calcium carbonate. Climate changes can affect coral reefs greatly since oceans become more acidic and hotter.

Figure 17: coral reefs are hosting several species of aquatic animals. (Pixabay)

You are probably wondering what biome do we live in. Here is a simple example, if you are living in California then biomes in California are: temperate forests in Redwood forests in northern California and grassland in Western North America in mountains rose. Moreover, the desert biome is found in several regions.

In order to explore different biomes in regions all over the world, 3d biome models were developed to provide a virtual look at any biome mentioned in the list of biomes using a computer, tablet, or phone.

Try to answer the quiz below to check what you have learned so far about biome.

Quiz

Choose the best answer.

1. What is a biome? comprised of various species population comprised of various biological communities comprised of various ecosystems

2. Major components of a biome abiotic components biotic components both abiotic and biotic components

3. Dominated by conical trees, e.g. conifers Temperate forest Tropical forest Taiga forest

4. Plants and animals have adaptations that enable them to live for a long period without water Forest biome Desert biome Tundra biome

5. A type of biome that is cold and flat and dominated by short plants and not trees Forest biome Desert biome Tundra biome

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References

Biomes CA. (n.d.). Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://livingforapes.weebly.com/biomes-ca.html

Kazilek. (2013, July 19). Boundless Biomes. Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/biomes

National Geographic Society. (2012, October 09). Ecosystem. Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/ecosystem/

National Geographic Society. (2019, September 07). Biomes, Ecosystems, and Habitats. Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/biomes-ecosystems-and-habitats/

National Geographic Society. (2020, February 05). Aquatic Biome. Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/aquatic-biome/

National Geographic Society. (2020, February 05). Desert Biome. Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/desert-biome/

National Geographic Society. (2020, February 05). Forest Biome. Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/forest-biome/

National Geographic Society. (2020, February 05). Grassland Biome. Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/grassland-biome/

National Geographic Society. (2020, February 05). Tundra Biome. Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/tundra-biome/

National Geographic Society. (2020, September 01). Biome. Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/biome/

University of California Museum of Paleontology. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2020, from https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php

Last updated on August 25th, 2023

Biomes

esEducationSign InMenuDonateCOLLECTIONCOLLECTIONBiomesBiomesA biome is an area classified according to the species that live in that location. Temperature range, soil type, and the amount of light and water are unique to a particular place and form the niches for specific species allowing scientists to define the biome. However, scientists disagree on how many biomes exist. Some count six (forest, grassland, freshwater, marine, desert, and tundra), others eight (separating two types of forests and adding tropical savannah), and still others are more specific and count as many as 11 biomes.Grades3 - 12+SubjectsPhysical Geography, Biology, Ecology, Earth ScienceNational Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036ABOUTNational Geographic SocietyNatGeo.comNews and ImpactContact UsExploreOur ExplorersOur ProgramsEducationNat Geo LiveStorytellers CollectiveTraveling ExhibitionsJoin UsWays to GiveApply for a GrantCareersdonateget updatesConnectNational Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. © 1996 - 2024 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.Privacy Notice|Sustainability Policy|Terms of Service|Code of Eth

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tokenpocket钱包app中文版下载|biome

tokenpocket钱包app中文版下载|biome

Biome | Definition, Map, Types, Examples, & Facts | Britannica

Biome - Wikipedia

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What is a Biome? - Internet Geography

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