Biomes: Global Ecosystems
This page introduces the concept of biomes as global-scale ecosystems characterized by similar environmental features such as climate, vegetation, and soil types. It emphasizes that biomes typically occur in latitudinal belts due to similar climatic conditions at specific latitudes. The page also includes a world map showing the global distribution of major biomes.
Definition: Biomes are global-scale ecosystems that exist throughout the world, categorized by similar environmental characteristics such as climate, vegetation type, and soil.
Highlight: Biomes usually occur in latitudinal belts, meaning they are present across the world at similar latitudes (horizontally on a typical map).
The page explains that while atmospheric circulation primarily determines biome distribution, other factors like ocean currents, winds, and land-sea temperature differences can cause variations. The map provided illustrates the distribution of major biomes, including tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, temperate grassland, desert, tropical rainforest, savanna grassland, and chaparral.
Example: The map shows how tundra biomes are concentrated in the northernmost regions, while tropical rainforests are found near the equator.
It's noted that some biomes, such as polar and monsoon, are not included in the map due to their small size or variations in biome definitions.
