Global biomes

Defining Biomes

Biomes are large ecosystems on a global scale, characterised by the same type of climate and geography, and hosting specific communities of plants and animals.
The structure and distribution of biomes is influenced by certain environmental factors including temperature, precipitation, altitude and soil type.

Types of Biomes

Tropical Rainforests are located near the equator with high annual rainfall, housing the greatest diversity of species on the planet.
Savannahs are found between tropical rainforest and desert biomes, marked by a wet and dry season with vegetation dominated by grasses and scattered trees.
Deserts are areas of minimal rainfall that can be either hot or cold, with specialised adaptations in organisms to survive the harsh conditions.
Temperate Forests experience four distinct seasons with a variety of fauna and flora, typically including deciduous trees.
Grasslands or prairies maintain a mix of grasses as the dominant vegetation due to drought, fire, and grazing by large herbivores.
Tundra is located in the high northern latitudes characterised by low temperatures, permafrost and a lack of large trees due to short growing seasons.

Effect of Climate Change on Biomes

Climate change can alter conditions of biomes leading to shift in their geographic dispersal, potentially changing the fauna and flora within those biomes.
Polar Tundra and Boreal Forest biomes are particularly vulnerable to global warming with melting permafrost leading to a release of greenhouse gases, further contributing to climate change.
Changes in rain patterns can affect Grassland and Savanna biomes, resulting in enhanced desertification or an encroachment of forest biomes.
Global warming also leads to an upward shift of mountain biomes, potentially leading to extinction of species unable to adapt or move.

Global Distribution and Spatial Characteristics of Biomes

Understanding the global patterns of biomes is key, with the Sahara Desert found in North Africa, the Amazon Rainforest in South America, the Temperate Deciduous Forests across Europe and North America, and the Arctic Tundra covering areas around the North Pole.
The positioning of these biomes is connected to latitude, altitude, temperature and precipitation, affecting their spatial characteristics and species distribution.

Case Studies

Case studies of specific biomes such as the Taiga Biomes in Russia or the Grasslands of the African Savanna can provide a more concrete context to understand these large-scale ecosystems and their intricate characteristics.