Climate Description
Tundra
Short and soggy summers. Long, cold, and dark winters. Low precipitation.
Temperate Grassland
Warm to hot summers. Cold winters. Moderate, seasonal precipitation.
Boreal Forest
Nutrient-poor and acidic soils because of falling needles. Also called taiga. Only in northern hemisphere. Moderate productive (5 of 9).
Subtropical Desert
Soils rich in minerals but poor in organic material. Low resistance and resilience. Low diversity. Very low productivity (9 of 9).
Boreal Forest
Long and cold winters. Short and mild summers. Moderate precipitation. high humidity.
Tropical Rainforest
Hot and wet year-round.
Temperate Rainforest
Rocky and acidic soils. Coastal biome. Oceans moderate the temperature and provide water vapor for precipitation.
Temperate Grassland
Fertile soils. Also called pampas, prairies, or steppes. Dry and windy conditions cause fires that prevent tree growth. Productive (7 of 9).
Temperate Rainforest
Mild temperatures. Abundant precipitation during fall, winter, and spring. Relatively cool and dry summer.
Tropical Seasonal Forest (Savanna)
Warm temperatures. Seasonal rainfall.
Temperate Seasonal Forest (Deciduous)
Fertile soils that are rich in organic material from seasonal decomposition of leaves. Long growing season. Moderately high productivity (4 of 9).
Tropical Rainforest
Thin and nutrient-poor soils. Rapid decomposition and quick uptake of nutrients. "Seasons" depend on location of ITCZ. Most productive land biome.
Temperate Seasonal Forest (Deciduous)
Cold to moderate winters. Warm summers. Year-round precipitation.
Subtropical Desert
Low precipitation. Variable temperatures.
Woodland/Shrubland
Thin and nutrient-poor soils because of leaching by winter rains. Also called chapparal.
Tundra
Poorly developed soils. Permafrost. Found at high latitudes or high altitudes. Short growing season, low productivity.
Woodland/Shrubland
Hot and dry summers. Cool and moist winters.
Tropical Seasonal Forest (Savanna)
Fertile soil that is compacted by grazing animals. Seasons due to moving ITCZ. Large herds of migrating animals follow seasonal precipitation.