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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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]
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]
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Revision as of 16:48, 25 September 2006

In ecology, a biome is a major regional group of distinctive plant and animal communities best adapted to the region's physical natural environment, latitude, altitude, and terrain. A biome is made up of communities at stable steady state and all associated transitional, disturbed, or degraded, vegetation, fauna and soils, but can often be identified by the climax vegetation type.

A fundamental classification of biomes is into:

  1. Terrestrial (or continental) biomes and
  2. Aquatic biomes.

Biomes are often given local names. For example, a Temperate grassland or shrubland biome is known commonly as steppe in central Asia, savanna or veld in southern Africa, prairie in North America, pampa in South America and outback or scrub in Australia. Sometimes an entire biome may be targeted for protection, especially under an individual nation's Biodiversity Action Plan.

Latitude classification

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

Arctic or subarctic area

Subarctic and boreal area

The Boreal Forest is the largest of all biomes. It is located in the northern hemishphere just south of the tundra.

Temperate cold

Tropical

Aquatic

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 Global 200 list of ecoregions identified by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as priorities for conservation.

This classification gives the following terrestrial biomes :

Other biomes

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.

See also

External link

Categories: