Biome: Difference between revisions

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	In ], a ''biome'' is a major regional group of distinctive ] and ] ] best adapted to the region's physical ], ], ], and ]. A biome is made up of ] at stable steady state and all associated transitional, disturbed, or degraded, ], ] and ], but can often be identified by the ] type.

	A fundamental classification of biomes is into:
	# ] (or continental) biomes and
	# Aquatic biomes.

	Biomes are often given local names. For example, a ] biome is known commonly as '']'' in central ], '']'' or ] in southern ], '']'' in ], '']'' in ] and '']'' or '']'' in ].
	Sometimes an entire biome may be targeted for protection, especially under an individual nation's ].

	== Latitude classification ==

	] is a major climate-influencing factor determining biomes. There is a good correlation between the distribution of climates with ], and homogeneous ] bands. Another major factor is ]. This can be illustrated by the fact that ] increases away from the poles towards the ], and increases with ].
	The most widely used classification of biomes is related to ] (or temperature zoning) and ]

	=== Arctic or subarctic area ===
	* humid type : ]

	=== Subarctic and boreal area ===
	* humid type: ] or ]
	The Boreal Forest is the largest of all biomes. It is located in the northern hemishphere just south of the tundra.

	=== Temperate cold ===

	* humid type : ], ]

	=== Tropical ===
	* humid area: ]
	* semi-humid area: ], ]
	* Semi-arid area: ]
	* Arid area: ]; and ]s

	=== Aquatic ===
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]

	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]s
	* ]s
	* ]
	* ]

	== Altitude and latitude classification ==
	Another system of classification takes into account altitude and humidity, ignoring temperature as a factor. This classification is used to define the ] list of ]s identified by the ] (WWF) as priorities for conservation.

	This classification gives the following terrestrial biomes :

	*] (arctic, humid)
	*] (subarctic, humid)
	*] (temperate cold, humid to semi-humid)
	*] (temperate, humid)
	*] (temperate, semi-arid)
	*] (temperate warm, semi-humid to semi-arid with winter rainfall)
	*] (tropical and subtropical, semi-humid)
	*] (tropical and subtropical, humid)
	*] (tropical and subtropical, semi-humid)
	*] (tropical and subtropical, semi-arid)
	*] (temperate to tropical, arid)
	*] (subtropical and tropical, salt and brackish water inundated)
	*] (temperate to tropical, fresh water inundated)
	*] (temperate to tropical, high altitude)

	==Other biomes ==

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

	==See also==
	*]
	*]
	*]
	*]

	==External link==
	*

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Revision as of 16:48, 25 September 2006