Major World Biomes and Ecosystem Characteristics

The Arctic Tundra Biome

Climate: Starkly cold temperatures and dry conditions with low precipitation. Soil: Often frozen and lacking in nutrients. Vegetation: Low shrubs, trees like dwarf willows and birches, and mosses. Location: North of the world. Adaptation: Species are adapted to handle cold winters and to breed and raise young during very short, cold summers. Human Impact: People extract coal, natural gas, oil, iron ore, and zinc.

The Taiga or Boreal Forest

Climate: Very cold in winter; the ice melts in the summers. Soil: Tends to be young and nutrient-poor; it lacks the deep, organically enriched profile present in temperate deciduous forests. Vegetation: Needleleaf coniferous trees are the dominant plants. A few species are found in four main groups: evergreen fir and pine. Location: Europe, Canada, and Asia. Adaptation: Tropical forest and taiga forest vegetation adapts to particular climate and soil conditions. Human Impact: Deforestation.

Temperate Deciduous Forest Ecosystems

Climate: Hot summers and cold winters with four distinct seasons: autumn, winter, summer, and spring. Vegetation: Many flowers and trees; the trees change colors during the different seasons. Location: Eastern half of the United States, Canada, Europe, and parts of Russia, China, and Japan. Adaptation: Organisms adjust to cold winters and hot summers. Human Impact: Significant human impact; for example, people live in traditional dwellings like the "baserri".

Tropical Forest and Rainforest Regions

Climate: Lush and wet; it rains a lot. Soil: Relatively poor in nutrients. Vegetation: Dense, tall, and very green; rich in plant life. Location: Located near the equator in South America (Brazil), Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Adaptation: Animals face dangers from cougars, pumas, and snakes; they must be both smart and strong to survive in this environment. Human Impact: As the human population increases in tropical regions, people move away from overcrowded cities into forest areas where they practice small-scale farming.

Savanna and Grassland Environments

Climate: Very hot summers and harsh winters with two seasons: summer and winter. Poor precipitation occurs mostly in winter. Soil: Tends to be deep and fertile; very nutrient-rich because of the large amount of plant tissue. Vegetation: Flowers and grasses. Location: Big open spaces with few bushes, located between deserts and forests. Adaptation: Home to creatures like elephants, bison, and many more. Human Impact: Increased pressure through hunting in protected areas via the black market.

Arid Desert Landscapes

Climate: Rainfall is very low during the year. It is extremely hot year-round with strong temperature fluctuations. Soil: The soil is fine-textured with a moderate salt content, sand, and dunes. Vegetation: Cacti are the most common species. Location: Located near mountains and caused by the rain shadow effect; found in Australia, Africa, and South America. Adaptation: Plants must store water; some animals never drink but get their water from seeds and plants. Human Impact: Low impact, though humans appear to extract materials.