Terrestrial Biomes

Tundra

Cold, treeless biome with low-growing vegetation; permafrost prevents deep root growth

Boreal Forest (Taiga)

Forested biome with cold temperatures, low precipitation, and slow decomposition; mostly coniferous trees

Temperate Rainforest

Moderate temperatures and high precipitation; coastal, coniferous trees, nutrient-poor soil

Temperate Seasonal Forest

Biome with warm summers, cold winters, and moderate precipitation; mostly deciduous trees

Woodland/Shrubland (Chaparral)

Hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters; adapted to fire and drought

Temperate Grassland (Prairie)

Cold winters, hot summers, low precipitation; grasses dominate, fertile soil

Tropical Rainforest

Warm and wet year-round; high biodiversity and productivity; poor soil due to fast decomposition

Tropical Seasonal Forest (Savanna)

Warm temperatures with distinct wet and dry seasons; grasses and scattered trees

Subtropical Desert

Hot temperatures, very dry conditions; sparse vegetation adapted to water loss

Biome

A geographic region categorized by a particular combination of temperature, precipitation, and vegetation

Permafrost

A layer of permanently frozen subsoil found in the tundra

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the energy lost through respiration

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment