Biomes

We explain what biomes are and how they are classified. Also, what are its characteristics, its climate, flora and fauna.

What are biomes?

A biome is a large area of ​​the planet that is characterized by a particular climate, flora and fauna.. Each of the biomes is defined by a specific climate and soils, which allow the growth and development of the organisms that make up the different ecosystems.

Biomes offer fundamental environmental services for climatic and ecological balance at a global level. Not only because they house the animal and plant life of the planet, but also because they contribute to the balance of temperatures, the development of soils and the hydrological cycle.

Biomes can be classified into terrestrial, aquatic and mixed. Some of the most widespread on the Earth's surface are forests, jungles and deserts.

See also: Natural regions

The terrestrial biomes

The general characteristics of terrestrial biomes are conditioned by the climate, soils and vegetation of each place. For this reason, very diverse terrestrial biomes can be found in different places on Earth.

Tundra

The tundra is the characteristic biome of the coldest regions of the planet. Temperatures in winter can reach -50 °C. The distinctive feature of the tundra is that the ground remains frozen (it is called permafrost) and only the surface layers thaw.

Vegetation in the tundra is sparse and consists mainly of mosses, lichens and small cold-resistant plants. The fauna is also adapted to scarce resources and low temperatures, and often includes mammals such as reindeer, bears and foxes. In addition, there are migratory birds that use the tundra in the summer as a breeding area.

The tundra biome is found in the Arctic region, Antarctica, and in the highest mountainous areas of the planet.

Desert

The desert is a type of terrestrial biome that is widespread on the surface of the planet. It is characterized by its very low rainfall and the scarce presence of fauna and flora. Although the traditional image of the sandy desert is associated with warm and equatorial climates, there are also desert areas in regions with a temperate and cold climate.

Deserts are a product, mainly, of the lack of rain. This lack of rain can be explained by the location of the desert, far from sources of moisture; due to the presence of dry air that prevents the formation of clouds and precipitation; due to the presence of mountains that make it difficult for humid air to pass through; or even by climate change, which contributes to the desertification of certain environments.

The existing vegetation develops adaptations to resist these conditions, such as small leaves with thorns or long roots to make better use of the little water available.

Animals are also adapted to arid conditions: reptiles have scales to prevent water loss, certain mammals—such as camels—can go long periods of time without drinking water, and insects often develop hard shells that allow them to conserve water. water inside your body.

Meadow

The main characteristic of the grasslands is the predominance of herbaceous vegetation like grasses and herbsand very little presence of trees and bushes. This biome is commonly found in regions with moderate rainfall and well-defined climatic seasons, with cold winters and warm summers.

The relief of the grasslands is generally flat or slightly undulating, which facilitates the expansion of herbaceous vegetation. The fauna of the grasslands is very diverse: herbivorous animals such as deer and sheep, foxes and weasels, rodents and birds are common in these biomes.

Forest

Forests are characterized by housing a large number of trees. In addition, a wide biodiversity can be found in them. They are biomes of great importance for environmental balance, since they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce oxygen.

Forests exist in places in the world with very diverse climates. Tropical forests are found in areas with warm climates; Temperate forests are located in mid-latitudes, in areas with cold winters and warm summers; and cold forests, boreal forests or taiga are found at high latitudes, in regions close to the tundra.

Jungle

The jungle is a biome with a humid and warm climate that is characterized by abundant vegetation. It is usually found in latitudes close to the equator. Rainfall is very frequent and can exceed 2,500 millimeters annually.

In the jungle there is vegetation of various heights, which is distributed in several layers. Among a great diversity of species, there are orchids, bromeliads, lianas, shrubs, ceibas, ficuses and palm trees.

Regarding the fauna of the jungle, there is a great variety of insects (ants, butterflies, flies, stick insects), reptiles (anacondas, turtles, alligators, boas) and mammals (monkeys, jaguars, panthers, otters, bats). Birds live both in trees (for example, toucans) and in areas near water surfaces (for example, ducks).

Chaparral

Chaparral is also known as Mediterranean scrub forest. Its climate is characterized by concentrating rainfall in winter and autumn, with dry and very hot summers. The vegetation and fauna adapt to the arid soil conditions and the almost total lack of precipitation during the warm summer months.

The flora is characterized by being stunted (hence the name of the biome), which means that it is short and has small, resistant leaves to withstand water scarcity. Among its fauna are foxes, goats, squirrels and a wide variety of reptiles and rodents.

This biome is mainly found around the Mediterranean Sea. Also in some areas with similar climates on the west coast of America and the southern coasts of Africa and Australia.

Steppe

The steppe is a biome characterized by sparse vegetation. Precipitation is somewhat greater than in the desert biome, and can reach 500 millimeters annually.

Among its fauna are some mammals, such as sheep, guanaco, puma and fox, and birds, such as the rhea and hawk. Steppe flora have adaptations to withstand long periods of water scarcity, such as thick leaves and deep roots. Unlike deserts, grasslands and a greater variety of shrubs can be found in the steppe.

Sheet

The savannah is a biome that is characterized by having a marked dry season and little vegetation.. It is a biome similar to the prairie, but with a tropical climate and a certain amount of scattered trees.

Among the fauna of the savannah are large predatory mammals, such as lions and tigers, and other herbivores, such as giraffes and elephants. The flora is adapted to the lack of rain for long periods, and usually grows and develops in the rainy months.

The aquatic biomes

The distinctive feature of aquatic biomes is the constant presence of water, which acts as the vital medium for a variety of life forms. They serve as sources of food and resources for numerous animal and human communities, and have been transcendental for the development of life in society throughout history.

Water temperature, salinity, and the amount of light that penetrates the depths are fundamental factors that determine the composition and distribution of species found in aquatic biomes.

Freshwater aquatic biomes

Freshwater biomes are found in environments whose main component is water with a low salt content.. In addition to serving as habitat for a wide variety of species, they provide various environmental services: they supply drinking water, prevent and regulate floods, reduce the effects of erosion, retain nutritional substances and eliminate toxic substances.

They also generate oxygen, serve for food production and often constitute attractive tourist places.

Freshwater aquatic biomes include:

• Rivers and streams. They are water flows that vary in size, from small streams to large rivers. The fauna and flora in these biomes depend on factors such as water velocity, temperature, and nutrient availability.
• Lakes and lagoons. They are bodies of water that can vary in size, from small lagoons to large lakes. Life in these biomes includes various species of fish, aquatic plants and microorganisms.
• Aquifers. They are underground water systems. Life in aquifers is usually microscopic and includes bacteria and other single-celled organisms.

Saltwater aquatic biomes

Saltwater aquatic biomes are found in seas and oceans, which They represent 70% of the earth's surface. They are varied in fauna and flora in a wide range, from tiny microorganisms to large predators.

They are subdivided into three zones: the intertidal, where the sea connects with the land, the open sea and the ocean floor.

Freshwater and saltwater aquatic biomes

Estuaries and deltas, in areas where rivers flow into the sea, constitute aquatic ecosystems in which salt water and fresh water mix.. Animal and plant species coexist there and must adapt to fluctuations in water salinity.

Life in these ecosystems is very dynamic, not only within the water: they are also areas chosen by bird species that take advantage of this diversity to feed.

The mixed biomes

Mixed biomes are characterized by the presence of ecosystems that develop in areas where land and water converge. These areas have a unique natural dynamic that occurs between humid and dry environments, and form habitats for animal and plant species that adapt to both livelihoods.

Mangrove swamp

Mangroves are ecosystems characterized by their conditions of high salinity and fluctuating water levels.. These environments, present in tropical and subtropical areas, exhibit waterlogged and muddy soils, and are usually found in coastal areas.

The predominant flora in mangroves includes species adapted to saline environments, such as rhizophoras and the avicenniasand the fauna includes various aquatic species, such as fish, crabs and mollusks.

Wetland

Wetlands are biomes that are characterized by their great biodiversity and the presence of species adapted to soil flooding conditions.. They are usually found in humid and rainy areas, and their flora is varied and abundant. The permanent or temporary presence of water in the soil conditions the development of vegetation, which presents ecological adaptations to survive in this type of environment.

Most animals found in wetlands can live in both water and land. The fauna associated with this biome includes waterfowl, amphibians, reptiles and a diversity of invertebrates adapted to aquatic environments.

References

• Cortés, J. and others. (2020). Marine-coastal ecosystems. In: JM Moreno, C. Laguna-Defior, V. Barros, E. Calvo Buendía, JA Marengo and Ú. Oswald Spring (Eds.), Adaptation to the risks of climate change in Ibero-American countries. RIOCCADAPT report. McGraw-Hill.
• Aquae Foundation. (2021). Marine biomes: what they are, characteristics and types. https://www.fundacionaquae.org/
• Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. (sf). What are wetlands and why is it important to conserve them? https://www.argentina.gob.ar/
• Roldán, L. (2022). What are biomes? Types and examples. EcologyGreen. https://www.ecologiaverde.com/