Biomes and Ecosystems: Land, Water, and Climate Adaptations

Biome

A large region of Earth with a specific climate, plants, and animals that are adapted to those conditions.

Terrestrial biome

A biome that exists primarily on land, such as deserts, forests, and grasslands.

Aquatic biome

A biome based in water, including freshwater and marine environments.

Habitat

The specific place where an organism lives and gets the resources it needs to survive, such as food, water, and shelter.

Tundra

A very cold, dry biome with little precipitation, few trees, and low-growing plants.

Permafrost

A layer of soil that stays frozen for at least two consecutive years, common in tundra regions.

Taiga

A cold forest biome dominated by coniferous trees such as pine and spruce, found mainly in northern regions.

Boreal forest

Another name for the taiga; a large forest biome made mostly of coniferous trees and characterized by long, cold winters.

Temperate rainforest

A cool, wet forest biome that receives a large amount of rainfall and contains tall trees, mosses, and other moisture-loving plants.

Temperate seasonal forest

A forest biome with four distinct seasons, moderate precipitation, and many trees that lose their leaves during fall.

Shrubland

A biome dominated by shrubs and small woody plants, usually found in areas with relatively dry conditions.

Woodland

An ecosystem with many trees, but with enough space between them for grasses, shrubs, and other plants to grow underneath.

Chaparral

A type of shrubland with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, where plants are often adapted to drought and fire.

Temperate grassland

A biome dominated by grasses with moderate rainfall, few trees, and often fertile soil.

Cold desert

A desert with low precipitation and cold temperatures, often having cold winters and sometimes snow.

Tropical rainforest

A warm, extremely wet biome with high biodiversity, dense vegetation, and little seasonal temperature change.

Savanna

A warm grassland biome with scattered trees and a distinct wet season and dry season.

Tropical seasonal forest

A warm forest biome with a strong wet and dry season; many trees lose their leaves during the dry season to conserve water.

Hot desert

A very dry biome with very little precipitation, high daytime temperatures, and organisms adapted to conserve water.