Biomes
The terrestrial part of the biosphere is divided into vast regions called biomes, which are characterized by their climate, vegetation, animal life, and soil type.
- No two biomes are alike, as the climate—mainly temperature and precipitation—determines their boundaries, and the abundance and diversity of plants and animals present in them.
Major Biomes
| Biome | Location | Climate | Vegetation | Fauna |
| Tundra | Polar regions, northernmost and southernmost edges | Extremely cold, low precipitation | Lichens, mosses, sedges, stunted shrubs | Reindeer, polar bear, arctic fox, snowy owl, lemming |
| Taiga (Boreal Forest) | Northern Europe, Asia, North America | Cold winters, moderate summers | Coniferous trees: spruce, pine, fir | Mink, Siberian tiger, wolverine, wolves, hawks |
| Temperate Deciduous Forest | Europe, E. North America, China, Japan, NZ | Moderate temp., abundant rainfall | Broad-leaved trees: oak, beech, maple, cherry | Familiar vertebrates, invertebrates |
| Tropical Rainforest | Equatorial regions | Hot, very high rainfall | Multi-storey evergreen trees, epiphytes | Very high biodiversity: insects, birds, mammals |
| Savannah | Tropical regions, Africa (most extensive) | Warm, moderate seasonal rainfall | Grasses, scattered thorny trees and shrubs | Zebra, elephant, rhinoceros, lion, cheetah, hyena |
| Grassland | Temperate regions: N. America, Ukraine | Low rainfall, temperate conditions | Drought-resistant grasses | Bison, antelope, prairie dog, wolves, ground birds |
| Desert | Continental interiors | Very low rainfall, hot days, cold nights | Cactus, euphorbia, sagebrush | Reptiles, small mammals, birds |
