The Earth’s biomes are large-scale ecosystems defined primarily by their climate—specifically temperature and precipitation—which in turn determines the types of plants and animals that can survive there.
1. Tropical Rainforest
- Climate: High temperatures and heavy rainfall year-round.
- Location: Located near the Equator. Major areas include the Amazon Basin (South America), the Congo Basin (Africa), and Southeast Asia.
- Characteristics: Highest biodiversity on Earth; multi-layered canopy.
2. Savanna (Tropical Grassland)
- Climate: Warm temperatures year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons.
- Location: Primarily in Africa (the Serengeti), but also found in parts of South America, India, and Northern Australia.
- Characteristics: Scattered trees and vast grasses; home to large migratory herbivores.
3. Desert
- Climate: Extremely low precipitation (less than 25cm per year); can be hot or cold.
- Location: Centered around 30° North and South latitudes. Notable deserts include the Sahara (Africa), the Arabian (Middle East), the Gobi (Asia), and the Great Sandy (Australia).
- Characteristics: Succulent plants (cacti) and nocturnal animals adapted to water conservation.
4. Temperate Grassland
- Climate: Moderate rainfall with cold winters and hot summers.
- Location: Found in the interiors of continents. Known as Prairies in North America, Steppes in Eurasia, Pampas in South America, and Veldts in South Africa.
- Characteristics: Nutrient-rich soil often used for global agriculture.
5. Temperate Deciduous Forest
- Climate: Four distinct seasons with consistent rainfall.
- Location: Eastern North America, Western Europe, and Eastern Asia (China and Japan).
- Characteristics: Trees that lose their leaves in the fall (oak, maple, beech).
6. Taiga (Boreal Forest)
- Climate: Long, very cold winters and short, cool summers.
- Location: A broad belt across the Northern Hemisphere, including Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and Siberia.
- Characteristics: Dominated by coniferous (evergreen) trees like pine and spruce.
7. Tundra
- Climate: Extremely cold and windy with very little rainfall.
- Location: The Arctic circle and high mountain tops (Alpine Tundra).
- Characteristics: Characterized by permafrost (permanently frozen subsoil) and low-growing vegetation like mosses and lichens.
Summary Table: Temperature vs. Precipitation
| Biome | Temp | Rainfall |
| Rainforest | Hot | High |
| Desert | Variable | Very Low |
| Tundra | Cold | Low |
| Taiga | Cold | Moderate |
| Grassland | Moderate | Moderate |