Final answer:
The Earth features eight major terrestrial biomes: tropical rainforests, savannas, subtropical deserts, chaparral, temperate grasslands, temperate forests, boreal forests, and Arctic tundra, each with unique climates and biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are eight major terrestrial biomes on Earth, which are large environments distinguished by characteristic temperatures and amounts of precipitation. These include:
- Tropical rainforests (also known as tropical wet forests), which are found in equatorial regions and are the most diverse terrestrial biome.
- Savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in regions with a distinct wet and dry season.
- Subtropical deserts, which are dry areas where rainfall is scarce, making life challenging for plants and animals.
- Chaparral, a biome characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, with vegetation adapted to droughts and fires.
- Temperate grasslands, regions with distinct seasons and grasses as the dominant vegetation.
- Temperate forests, which experience four seasons and are dominated by deciduous or evergreen trees.
- Boreal forests (taiga), consisting of coniferous forests in high-latitude regions.
- Arctic tundra, where extreme cold and short growing seasons limit plant growth, and which includes both Arctic and Alpine tundras.
Each biome is affected by temperature and precipitation, which shape the vegetation and animal life present. Seasonal variations, such as those in temperate grasslands and forests, along with daily temperature variations, are key to the distribution of these biomes.