Biomes

Grasslands

• Temperature: continental - relatively high daily and annual range

• Precipitation - rainshadow, wet-dry season

• Moisture balance: moderate water deficit

• Productivity: depends on precipitation and water balance

• Life forms: mostly grasses and herbs

Desert

• Temperature: hot summers, moderate winters, highest annual daily/yearly ranges

• Productivity: low

• Life forms: herbs, shrubs, tree-like cacti, annual herbaceous plants

• Precipitation: <25 cm annually

Tundra

• Arctic and alpine

• Temperature: cool short summers, long cold winters

• Precipitation: arctic - low, alpine - variable, summer wetter than winter

• Water balance: limited evaporation

• Vegetation: low productivity, byrophytes, herbs, shrubs

Forests

• Rainforest, deciduous, coniferous

• Location: tropical regions to high latitudes

• Climate: surplus moisture