APES Biomes

Tundra

This biome is characterized by short summers, long, cold, and dark winters, low precipitation, poorly developed soils, permafrost, found at high latitudes or high altitudes, and has a short growing season with low productivity

Boreal Forests

This biome is characterized by long, cold winters, short, mild summers, moderate precipitation, nutrient-poor and acidic soils due to falling needles, aka taiga, only found in the northern hemisphere, and has moderate productivity.

Temperate Rainforests

This biome has mild temperatures, abundant precipitation during fall, winter, and spring, relatively cool and dry summers, rocky, acidic soils, and is located near the coast, where the oceans moderate temperatures and provide water vapor for precipitation.

Temperate Seasonal Forest

This biome has cold to moderate winters, warm summers, year-round precipitation, fertile soils rich in organic material from seasonal decomposition of leaves, long growing seasons, and moderately high productivity.

Shrubland

This biome has hot, dry summers, cool, moist winters, thin, nutrient-poor soils due to leaching by winter rains, and is characterized by chaparral, a climate described as Mediterranean, and periodic wildfires.

Temperate Grassland

This biome has warm to hot summers, cold winters, moderate seasonal precipitation, fertile soils, known as prairies, has dry windy conditions that cause fires that prevent tree growth, and is highly productive.

Tropical Grassland/Savanna

This biome has warm temperatures, seasonal rainfall, fertile soil compacted by grazing animals, and large heads of migrating animals that follow seasonal precipitation.

Desert

This biome has slow precipitation, variable temperatures, soils rich in minerals but poor in organic material, low resistance and resilience, low diversity, and extremely low productivity.

Tropical Rainforests

This biome is hot and wet year-round, with thin, nutrient-poor soils, rapid decomposition and quick uptake of nutrients, and is the most productive land biome.