Biomes
Biomes are defined as "the world's major communities, classified according to the predominant vegetation and characterized by adaptations of organisms to that particular environment" (Campbell).The importance of biomes cannot be underestimated. Biomes have changed and moved many times during the history of life on Earth. More recently, human activities have drastically altered these communities. Thus, conservation and preservation of biomes should be a major concern to all.
Biome, also known as life zones, all plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as the physical environment in a particular area. A biome is characterized by its plant life, the types of which are determined by a location's climatic conditions, latitude, and altitude. For example, northern coniferous forests exist in sub-arctic portions of North America and Asia, but further north, the conditions are simply too harsh and the season too brief for trees to grow. Instead of trees, the short vegetation of the tundra thrives in these areas. The same phenomenon occurs with altitude, as trees give way to short alpine vegetation in high mountainous regions.A
biome is composed of many ecosystems—smaller
communities of plants and animals and their habitats (the physical parts of
their environment that affect them). Whereas the boundaries of a biome are
determined by climate, the boundaries of ecosystems are physical features, such
as ridges or riverbanks, that separate one community from another. The
ecosystems of a particular biome tend to have plants with similar growth forms
and animals with similar feeding habits.
Now take the time to read about the different biomes. Just click
on a link to see the information about the biome.
Tundra Coniferous Forest Deciduous Forest
Tropical Rainforest Desert Grasslands
Text and Background courtesy of: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/
Information from: http://www.encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?z=1&pg=2&ti=761582447
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