2.4.2 Biomes: Characteristics, Distribution and Change
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Tropical rainforest
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Hot desert
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Tundra
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Temperate deciduous forest
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Tropical grassland (savanna)
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(30)High insolation year-round; canopy intercepts the majority of sunlight, limiting light for lower layers; poor soil as heavy rainfall leaches nutrients
Approximately 26°C average; constant, with no seasonal fluctuation
Approximately 2,500 mm per year; high rainfall throughout the year
NPP: 2.20 kg/m²/year (highest of all terrestrial biomes)
Highest biodiversity of all biomes; complex layered structure creates diverse ecological niches
Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, Southeast Asia, Costa Rica
Lack of water limits photosynthesis; extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night; organisms must overcome both heat and water stress
Very hot in daytime (up to 49°C) but cold at night (as low as 10°C)
Under 250 mm per year; unevenly distributed and rare
NPP: 0.003 kg/m²/year (lowest of all terrestrial biomes)
Very low biodiversity; organisms adapted to live underground or be active at night
Sahara, Arabian Desert, Australian Outback (all at approximately 25–30° latitude)
Very low temperatures create permafrost; short growing season; low water availability despite precipitation (water locked as ice); nutrient recycling is slow, leading to peat bog formation
Below 0°C for 6 to 10 months; mean temperature of warmest month less than 10°C
Approximately 250 mm per year (similar to desert, but low evaporation means water persists as ice and snow)
NPP: 0.14 kg/m²/year
Low biodiversity; limited vegetation and few species adapted to extreme cold
Bear Island/Svalbard, St. Matthew Island, Kebnekaise (Sweden)
Seasonal variation in temperature and day length; cold winters limit growing season; rainfall generally sufficient but can limit if reduced (transforms to grassland)
Approximately 10°C average, but with a large annual range (as low as −30°C in winter to +30°C in summer)
Approximately 1,500 mm per year
NPP: 1.20 kg/m²/year
Moderate biodiversity; seasonal changes create varied niches; deciduous habit is an adaptation to cold winters
UK/London, Yellowstone (USA), much of western Europe
Seasonal drought; periodic fires maintain grassland and prevent tree establishment; low soil nutrient availability in some regions
Approximately 20–30°C; warm year-round with slight seasonal variation
500–1,500 mm per year; highly seasonal with distinct wet and dry seasons
NPP: 0.90 kg/m²/year
Moderate biodiversity; lower than rainforest due to harsher conditions and lower plant density; adapted to fire and drought
East Africa, northern Australia, Brazilian cerrado; Amazon savannisation scenario (dry season exceeding 4 months)
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