Comprehensive Guide to Terrestrial Biomes

Tropical and Subtropical Terrestrial Biomes

• Tropical Rainforest

  • Temperature & Climate: Warm and wet year-round; humid with frequent rain.

  • Precipitation Level: HIGH precipitation.

• Savanna

  • Temperature & Climate: Warm year-round; features wet and dry seasons with a long dry season.

  • Precipitation Level: MEDIUM precipitation; seasonal rain.

• Desert

  • Temperature & Climate: Extremely hot and dry (some deserts can be cold); characterized by clear skies.

  • Precipitation Level: VERY LOW precipitation; little rain.

Temperate Terrestrial Biomes

• Shrubland (Chaparral)

  • Temperature & Climate: Hot/dry summers and mild/wet winters; prone to droughts and seasonal fires.

  • Precipitation Level: LOW-MEDIUM precipitation.

• Temperate Grassland

  • Temperature & Climate: Hot summers and cold winters; rain is often seasonal, with droughts possible.

  • Precipitation Level: MEDIUM/LOW precipitation.

• Temperate Seasonal Forest

  • Temperature & Climate: Defined by four distinct seasons.

  • Precipitation Level: MEDIUM-HIGH precipitation; rain is fairly evenly distributed.

• Temperate Rainforest

  • Temperature & Climate: Cool/mild coastal temperatures; frequent heavy rain and fog.

  • Precipitation Level: HIGH precipitation.

Subarctic and Polar Terrestrial Biomes

• Taiga (Boreal Forest)

  • Temperature & Climate: Cold temperatures with severe winters and short, mild summers.

  • Precipitation Level: LOW-MEDIUM precipitation, consisting mostly of snow.

• Tundra

  • Temperature & Climate: Very cold year-round; dry and windy with long winters and short, cool summers.

  • Precipitation Level: VERY LOW precipitation.