1.2 Terrestrial Biomes

Latitude, climate, and biome distribution

Terrestrial biomes are large regions defined by characteristic climate, vegetation, and animal life. Their distribution is driven mainly by temperature and precipitation, which vary with latitude and elevation. Areas near the equator get intense, direct sunlight year-round, staying warm, while high latitudes receive less direct sunlight and experience seasonal extremes, creating distinct biome bands across the globe.

Major biome types

Key terrestrial biomes include tropical rainforest (hot, wet, high biodiversity), desert (low precipitation, extreme temps), temperate grassland (moderate rainfall, fertile soil), temperate forest (four seasons, deciduous trees), taiga/boreal forest (cold, coniferous), and tundra (cold, low precipitation, permafrost, low biodiversity). Each has unique adaptations suited to its climate conditions.

Elevation mimics latitude

Climbing a mountain produces climate changes similar to traveling toward the poles — temperature drops and biomes shift, from forest at the base to tundra-like conditions near the peak. This pattern shows that elevation, like latitude, strongly influences temperature, precipitation patterns, and therefore which biome develops in a region.

Key terms

Terrestrial biome

A large geographic region characterized by distinct climate, vegetation, and animal communities.

Tropical rainforest

Hot, wet biome near the equator with the highest biodiversity of any terrestrial biome.

Tundra

Cold, low-precipitation biome with permafrost and low biodiversity, found at high latitudes/elevations.

Taiga (boreal forest)

Cold biome dominated by coniferous trees, located south of the tundra.

Elevation's effect on biomes

Higher elevation lowers temperature similarly to higher latitude, shifting biomes from forest to tundra-like conditions near peaks.

Try an AP-style question

Which two factors mainly determine the distribution of terrestrial biomes?

1. Temperature and precipitation
2. Wind speed and day length
3. Latitude and population size
4. Soil color and elevation only