Biomes of the World
Biomes and The Five Major Types
What are biomes?
What is a Biome?
Biomes are regions of the Earth that share similar ecosystems. This means that biomes have similar climates (weather and temperature), animals, and plants. There are many biomes across the world. However, the five main types of biomes include aquatic, grassland, forest, desert, and tundra.
Biomes of the World Map
Aquatic Biome
Aquatic biomes are found in water. The aquatic biome is the largest biome, as it covers about 75% of the world. This biome can be further divided into freshwater and ocean biomes.
Climate
- Tends to be humid
- Slightly cool air temperature, but can vary widely
Common Animals
- Fish
- Turtles
- Crabs
- Frogs
- Oysters
Common Plants
- Algae
- Seaweed
- Duckweed
Grassland Biome
Grasslands are classified by areas that's vegetation is dominated by grasses.
Climate
- Has a warm, dry climate
- Ranges from 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit year-round
- Low precipitation, which can cause wildfires
- There is a rainy and dry season
Common Animals
- Zebras
- Giraffes
- African elephants
- Prairie dogs
- Gazelles
Common Plants
- Purple needlegrass
- Wild oats
- Foxtail
- Ryegrass
- Buffalo grass
Forest Biome
Forests contain a large number of trees. Forests cover about one-third of Earth's land.
Climate
The climate varies greatly depending on the type of forest.
- More tropical forests have hotter and humid climates, and receive a lot of rainfall.
- More temperate forests experience both cold and warm temperatures. They still receive precipitation, but are drier compared to tropical forests.
Common Animals
- Deer (temperate)
- Bears (temperate)
- Rabbits (temperate)
- Foxes (temperate)
- Monkeys (tropical)
- Jaguars (tropical)
- Sloths (tropical)
Common Plants
- Oak trees (temperate)
- Maple trees (temperate)
- Wildflowers (temperate)
- Moss (temperate)
- Orchids (tropical)
- Rubber Trees (tropical)
- Bamboo (tropical)
Desert Biome
The desert is the driest biome and can be either sandy, gravelly, or stony depending on the type.
Climate
- Receives less than 20 inches of rainfall per year
- Can be either cold or hot in temperature
Common Animals
- Jackrabbits
- Snakes
- Coyotes
- Lizards
- Scorpions
Common Plants
- Cacti
- Brittlebush
- Tumbleweed
- Aloe vera
Tundra Biome
The tundra is the coldest biome found just below the Arctic Circle or on very high mountaintops. For most of the year, permafrost leaves the land frozen, making vegetation such as trees difficult to grow.
Climate
- Cold and dry
- Ranges from -29 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit
- 6 to 10 inches of precipitation per year
Common Animals
- Arctic foxes
- Arctic hares
- Polar bears
- Mountain goats
- Caribou
Common Plants
- Mosses
- Grasses
- Lichens
