What is a biome?

Examples of biomes

The multiple classifications of biomes

What is a biome?

A biome is a wider habitat where the environmental influences lead to similar kinds of organisms that inhabit them. Some parts of the world are deserts, some have tall trees and others only have grasses. While geographically they are not connected (such as deserts on different continents), they are separately similar. This is reflected in their plants, animals and niches.

Examples of biomes

Examples of biomes include mixed and deciduous forests, tropical rainforests, savannas and deserts. Tundras are areas where trees cannot grow because of low temperatures and short growing seasons. Steppes are dry and grassy plains. Taigas are characterised by coniferous forests such as pines and spruces.

The multiple classifications of biomes

There are multiple classifications available used to describe the different biomes on Earth, including marine biomes, microbial biomes and anthropogenic biomes. Climate change resulting in rapid restructuring of biomes such as extended desertification and flooding in other places means that classifications are live databases rather than permanent.

Examples of marine biomes are…