World Biomes: Characteristics and Distribution
Mediterranean Forest
The Mediterranean forest biome extends beyond the Mediterranean region, encompassing areas in Southern Australia, Chile, and parts of the American Pacific coast north of California. The climate is characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. A ‘fifth season,’ the extended dry summer, is often observed. Evergreen trees, such as oaks and cork oaks, are typical of this biome.
- Fauna: Abundant rabbits, birds, reptiles, and insects.
- Human Impact: Areas heavily impacted by human activity often feature thickets of predatory vegetation and broom.
Savannah
Savannahs occupy significant portions of Central Africa, South America, Northern Australia, and Southeast Asia. These biomes are characterized by vast grasslands with scattered trees that rarely form a closed canopy. Trees are typically deciduous, losing their leaves during the dry season. Acacias with flat canopies are iconic in African savannahs, but grasses are the most abundant plants.
- Fauna: Predominantly herbivorous animals, alongside large carnivores and predators.
Equatorial and Tropical Forest
The equatorial forest is found in the Amazon Basin, Central Africa, and Indomalaysia. Temperatures are consistently high, and rainfall is abundant throughout the year, resulting in minimal seasonal variation.
- Flora: Rich and multi-layered, with a variety of evergreen trees. Numerous epiphytes, such as vines and mosses, grow on the tree trunks.
- Fauna: A wide variety of animals.
- Tropical Forests: Some tropical forests exhibit similar characteristics but experience less rainfall, with a distinct dry season and a warm, moist season.
Deserts
Deserts are defined by their extreme aridity. Plants and animals are scarce and possess adaptations to withstand these harsh conditions. The desert landscape is predominantly composed of geological features.
Tundra
The tundra forms a band around the North Pole, with smaller areas in Antarctica and Tierra del Fuego in the Southern Hemisphere. The ground remains frozen year-round, except for a brief summer period (approximately two months) when the surface layer thaws and becomes waterlogged.
- Precipitation: Scarce, primarily in the form of snow.
- Flora: Characterized by lichens, mosses, and low-lying bushes.
- Fauna: Reindeer, Arctic hares, and, during the summer, numerous insects.
Taiga or Coniferous Forest
The taiga, or coniferous forest, forms a band south of the tundra in the Northern Hemisphere. The climate is cold, with long winters.
- Flora: Conifers, such as pines and firs, are common.
- Fauna: Includes wolves, foxes, deer, and bears.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
South of the taiga, occupying the same latitudinal band, are temperate deciduous forests and steppes. Steppes are found in the interior of continents, while deciduous forests thrive in areas with a climate moderated by oceanic influence. Temperate deciduous forests are well-developed in Europe and North America.
- Climate: Abundant rainfall and mild temperatures.
- Flora: Predominantly deciduous trees, such as oaks, chestnuts, and walnuts.
- Fauna: Abundant and diverse, including rodents, deer, birds, and insects.
The Steppe
Steppes are found in regions experiencing long periods of drought, with hot summers and very cold winters. In Eurasia, they form a continuous band from Ukraine to Mongolia. In North America, they are represented by the American prairie, and in the south, by the pampas.
- Flora: Treeless, but with abundant grasses.
- Fauna: Rich in large herbivores, burrowing animals, and birds of prey.