What Is a Biome?
A biome is a large-scale type of ecosystem shaped by climate and terrain β regions with similar climates tend to develop similar vegetation and animal life even if they are on different continents. Tropical rainforest, savanna, desert, grassland, taiga, and tundra are among the major terrestrial biomes.
Tropical Rainforest
Tropical rainforests develop in hot, humid regions near the equator and are the most biodiverse biome on Earth, said to be home to more than half of all terrestrial species. The Amazon rainforest and the Congo Basin rainforest are the world's two largest tropical rainforests.
Savanna
The savanna is a tropical grassland with distinct dry and wet seasons, characterized by scattered trees and sweeping open grassland. Africa's Serengeti is a leading example, well known for the coexistence of large herbivores and carnivores such as lions, elephants, giraffes, and zebras.
Tundra
The tundra is a biome found near the Arctic Circle, where permafrost that stays frozen year-round means only mosses, lichens, and small shrubs can grow. Reindeer, arctic foxes, and polar bears are among the species adapted to survive this harsh environment.
Taiga (Boreal Forest)
The taiga is a vast coniferous forest belt stretching across Siberia and northern Canada, and it covers more land area than any other single biome on Earth. It is dominated by cold-hardy conifers such as spruce and fir, and is home to wolves, brown bears, and lynx.
Temperate Forest and Temperate Grassland
Mid-latitude regions with four distinct seasons develop temperate forests centered on deciduous trees, or temperate grasslands such as North America's prairies or Ukraine's steppe. Temperate grasslands often have extremely fertile soil, making them prime candidates for development into the world's major breadbaskets.
How Climate Change Is Affecting Biome Distribution
As the global average temperature rises, the boundary between the taiga and tundra is gradually shifting northward, and permafrost is melting, transforming the tundra ecosystem itself. Meanwhile, as droughts and heat waves become more frequent, some tropical rainforest regions have also been observed slowly shifting toward savanna-like ecosystems.