geography biome essay

What Makes A Biome?

Biomes are typically characterized by the resident biota within them. Currently, there is a disagreement in the scientific community about what exactly makes a biome.

Biology, Ecology, Conservation, Earth Science

Deciduous Forest Fall

Trees in a deciduous forest during the fall.

Photograph by Clarita Berger/National Geographic Creative

Each biome , or community of plants and animals in a certain climate, has life-forms characteristic of that place. For instance, the plants and animals that inhabit the Amazon rainforest are completely distinct from those in the Arctic tundra. However, not everyone agrees on exactly what constitutes a biome and defining them presents a challenge. Defining Biomes Biomes are sometimes confused with similar ecological concepts, such as habitats and ecosystems . Ecosystems are the interactions between biota , such as plants and animals, within the environment , and many ecosystems can make up a single biome . Nutrient and energy flow also play a critical role in ecosystems . A habitat , on the other hand, is specific to a population or species; it is the area in which that group lives. Meanwhile, biomes describe life on a much larger scale than either habitats or ecosystems . The term “ biome ” was first used in 1916 by Frederic E. Clements, an American ecologist, to describe the plants and animals in a given habitat . In 1939, it was further defined by Clements and fellow ecologist Victor Shelford. Over time scientists continued to expand and refine the definition of biome and related concepts in the burgeoning field of ecology , and in 1963, Shelford characterized the following biomes : tundra, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, grassland, and desert. Later, ecologist Arthur Tansley created a separate definition for ecosystems , which was more inclusive of biological processes than the definition of a biome . What unites all biome definitions is that biomes can be differentiated by the organisms residing there and by the climate, as well as the fact that the organisms within a biome share adaptations for that particular environment . Climate is a major factor in determining types of life that reside in a particular biome , and there are several factors that influence climate, such as latitude, geographic features, and atmospheric processes disseminating heat and moisture. Biome Types The number of biomes that exist is debated by scientists. While some aspects of the definition are widely agreed upon (climate and resident life), some definitions broaden to include factors like biodiversity and human activity. Although definitions may not be consistent, several types of biomes typically emerge from the definitions: tundras, deserts, grasslands, deciduous forests, coniferous forests, tropical rainforests, and aquatic. Tundra Biomes The tundra are located at the northernmost parts of the globe and is defined by long, cold winters and cool summers. The animals and plants that reside here have evolved adaptations that allow them to survive in this frigid environment, such as thick fur and the ability to hibernate. Desert  Biomes Located in both cold and warm climates across the globe, deserts are defined by their dryness, and life in these areas are adapted to a lack of water and nutrients. Grassland Biomes The grassland biome, which is found on every continent except Antarctica, is characterized as being flat and grassy, with scant tree cover. Large mammals that graze, such as elephants or bison, inhabit these areas, along with small mammals, birds, and predators. Coniferous Forest Biomes These areas—known as taigas or boreal forests—experience long, cold winters, short summers, and heavy precipitation. Within this biome, the primary vegetation types are conifers and evergreen trees. Sometimes this category is split into another category, known as the temperate forest, which does not experience temperatures as cold. One example of this warmer forest would be the west coast of North America, a humid forest system home to redwoods and cedars. Deciduous Forest Biomes Located in eastern North America, Western Europe, and northeastern Asia, this biome is marked by broad-leafed trees, such as maple and oak, that lose their leaves seasonally as the temperatures begin to drop. Overall, these regions are temperate, but still have a distinct winter season. Tropical Rainforest Biomes These equatorial regions are warm and wet with diverse vegetation that forms a canopy. Leaf litter on the ground and the humid conditions create a layer of nutrients above the low-quality soil, which allows for the growth of a wide variety of vegetation. In fact, tropical rainforests are famous for hosting vast amounts of biodiversity. Aquatic Biomes There are numerous ways to classify aquatic biomes, and often freshwater and saltwater biomes are defined separately; factors used for classification include water depth, temperature, and salinity. The terrestrial biomes are typically classified by vegetation types, but this method can be difficult to apply to aquatic environments, which do not have as much visible plant life. Limitations of Defining Biomes Although biomes are often thought of as distinctly defined regions, in reality, they are not clearly delineated. Biomes do not typically have precise boundaries; instead, there are frequently transition zones between biomes . These zones are referred to as ecotones, and they can be naturally occurring or created by humans. Further, many biome definitions exclude humans. However, some scientists believe that human presence is an integral part in defining biomes , and they posit that most biomes are actually primarily influenced by humans. Similarly, scientists are beginning to recognize how the results of human activities, such as habitat destruction and climate change , will change how biomes are defined in the future.

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Grassland biome.

The grassland biome is made up of large open areas of grasses. They are maintained by grazing animals and frequent fires. Types of grasslands include savannas and temperate grasslands.

Biology, Ecology, Geography, Physical Geography

Rothschild's Giraffes

There are a ridiculous number of giraffes in this photograph. They are standing in a grassland nibbling on trees. Words cannot describe how awesome this is.

Joel Sartore

Grassland biomes consist of large open areas of grass. Trees can be present, but they are infrequent. The animals found in grasslands range from African elephants ( Loxodonta africana ) to various species of prairie dogs ( Cynomys spp. ).

Low rainfall, wildland fires, and grazing by animals are three factors that maintain grasslands . In grassland regions, the climate is ideal for the growth of grasses only. The low precipitation rates are enough to nourish grasses but not enough for a forest of trees. Frequent fires also play a role in maintaining grassland ecosystems. Grasses are well adapted to grow back after a fire. Grassland animals are also prepared for fires, fleeing or burrowing underground to wait out the flames. Large animals, such as African elephants, can also trample the ground and discourage the growth of trees.

The two distinct types of grasslands are savannas and temperate grasslands . These two types of grasslands may look similar, but they differ in some significant ways. For example, elephants are found in African savannas but not in the temperate grasslands of the United States. In contrast, burrowing animals, such as prairie dogs, are commonly found in temperate grasslands . Temperate grasslands also are known to have richer soils than savannas .

Savannas are present in areas that have a warm climate with a rainy season and a dry season. Most of the precipitation falls during just a few months of the year. This results in a long dry season that inhibits the growth of trees. Savannas and their abundant wildlife are famous in Africa, but savannas can also be found in South America, Asia, and Australia.

Temperate grasslands, on the other hand, are known for their rich soil that yields abundant growth of grasses. Temperate grasslands are found in places such as North America and Eastern Europe.

Humans have had a dramatic impact on the grassland biome . Because temperate grasslands have rich soil, most of the grasslands in the United States have been converted into fields for crops or grazing land for cattle. The loss of grasslands due to agriculture has affected several species, including monarch butterflies ( Danaus plexippus) . During their long migration to Mexico, the butterflies depend on the grasslands ’ wildflowers for food. Consequently, monarch butterfly populations have begun disappearing as more and more grasslands have been converted into farmland.

In the African savannas , illegal hunting has resulted in the loss of many large animals, including elephants. The elephants protect the grasses of the savanna by crushing trees and shrubs. Without large animals around to stomp down the trees, they can more readily overtake the grasses, causing savannas to turn into forests. The resulting loss of the grasses would mean less food for grazing animals such as Grevy’s zebras ( Equus grevy ).

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The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

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Program specialists, last updated.

October 31, 2023

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For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.

If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.

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