Biome

In ecology, a biome is a major regional group of distinctive plant and animal communities well adapted to the region's physical environment. The concept of a biome highlights the interaction among plant and animal populations, soil, water and air. A biome is discernible at a global scale, and a biotic area is the geographical area occupied by a particular biome. The Earth's biomes comprise the biosphere.

Related Topics:
Ecology - Plant - Animal - Communities - Environment - Soil - Water - Air - Earth - Biosphere

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Biomes are defined by the global pattern of species. This pattern is influenced by regional climate, soil characteristics, substrate condition (due to periodic flooding for example), and other physical environment factors. In turn, climate and soil partly depend on latitude, altitude and slope.

Related Topics:
Species - Climate - Flood - Latitude - Altitude

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A biome is composed of the climax flora and all associated subclimax, or degraded, flora, fauna and soils, but can often be identified by the climax flora type, vertical stratification or vegetation adaptation.

Related Topics:
Climax - Flora - Fauna - Soil

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Biomes may be divided into:

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• Terrestrial (also called continental) biomes and
• Aquatic biomes.

Often, a type of biome in a particular area is given a local name. For example, a Temperate grassland or shrubland biome is known as steppe in central Asia, savanna or veld in southern Africa, prairie in North America, pampa in South America and outback in Australia.

Related Topics:
Temperate grassland or shrubland - Steppe - Asia - Savanna - Veld - Africa - Prairie - North America - Pampa - South America - Outback - Australia

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Biome: Latitude Classification ►