Biomes

Tundra

Very cold, low rain, short growing season, permafrost, treeless. Permafrost keeps soil frozen, blocks drainage, stops decomposition, and traps nutrients.

Taiga (boreal)

Long cold winters, conifers, moderate rain, short cool summers. Cold temperatures slow decomposition. Conifer needles make soils acidic and low‑nutrient.

Temperate Rainforest

Mild, very wet, fog-fed, nutrient-poor soils. Heavy rainfall leaches nutrients. Moisture speeds decomposition but nutrients wash away.

Temperate Seasonal Forest

Warm summers, cold winters, fertile soils, 75-200 cm rain. Warm seasons allow strong decomposition. Soils are deep, fertile, and nutrient‑rich.

Temperate Grassland

Cold winters, summer drought, fires, grazing, nutrient-rich soils. Deep roots and constant decomposition create extremely nutrient‑rich, dark soils.

Tropical Rainforest

Warm, wet, constant climate, nutrient-poor soils. Rapid decomposition but nutrients are absorbed instantly by plants. Soils remain nutrient‑poor.

Tropical seasonal forest/savanna

Hot, distinct wet/dry seasons, scattered trees. Leaching during wet season removes nutrients. Moderate decomposition keeps soils low‑fertility.

Shrubland

Hot dry summers, mild wet winters, drought-tolerant plants. Dry summers slow decomposition. Soils stay low‑nutrient and thin.

Subtropical Desert

Extremely low rain, huge temp swings, nutrient-limited soils. Minimal organic matter. Very slow decomposition. Nutrient-limited, salty, dry soils.

Tropical

Warm year-round near equator.

Subtropical

Hot, dry zones outside tropics.

Temperate

Moderate temps, clear seasons.

Seasonal

Predictable wet/dry or warm/cold cycles.

Rainforest

Dense vegetation, high rainfall.

Tropical vs. Temperate Rainforest

Tropical is hot and nutrient-poor; temperate is cooler and fog-fed.

Grassland vs. Savanna

Grassland is colder and fire-driven; savanna has wet/dry seasons and scattered trees.

Taiga vs. Tundra

Taiga has conifers; tundra is treeless with permafrost.

Shrubland vs. Desert

Shrubland has winter rain; deserts have extreme dryness.