1

Biome Vegetation Structure

A biome is a large region with a major vegetative • The vegetation has a multi-layered
type and associated wildlife, found in a specific structure with generally thick, distinct
climatic zone. layers of vegetation.
Since vegetation is immobile, it is the best • Adaptations:
representation of any biome as it has to adapt to the o Presence of epiphytes (plants that
available conditions. take support from other plants to
grow).
1. Tropical Rainforest / Tropical Evergreen o Examples of epiphytes: Orchids and
Forest / Equatorial Forest Bromeliads.
Location Human Impact
• Found between 0° to 10° North and South of • These forests were commercially exploited
the equator. for plantation agriculture of cash crops like
• Particular areas: sugarcane, rubber, etc.
o Amazon Lowlands (rainforests here • Heavy deforestation continues, mainly for
are called Selvas). palm oil plantations.
o Congo Basin. • Shifting cultivation by tribal groups has
o Parts of Malaysia, Philippines, also contributed to deforestation.
Indonesia, Singapore, and Papua Tribal Groups Practicing Shifting Cultivation
New Guinea. • Semang (Malaysia)
Climate • Amazon Indians (South America)
• Temperature: 25°C to 30°C. • Pygmies (Congo Basin)
• Rainfall: 160 cm to 350 cm.
• Climate Type: Hot and wet equatorial 2. Tropical Deciduous Forest / Tropical
climate. Monsoonal Forest
• Equable Climate: Latitudinal Range
o The annual range of temperature is small (as • Found between 10° - 25°/35° N/S.
low as 3°C). Particular Areas
o The region experiences intense insolation • Indian Subcontinent
and high temperatures throughout the year. • Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam,
o Receives torrential rainfall almost daily in Myanmar
the afternoon hours (called "4 o'clock • Northern and Northeast Australia
showers"). • Caribbean Region and Eastern Brazil
o Annual average precipitation: 160 cm - 350 • Gulf of Guinea Coast
cm, uniformly distributed throughout the • Eastern Africa and Madagascar
year. Climate and Trade Winds Influence
Natural Vegetation • These regions lie in the Trade Wind Belt on
• Due to high temperature and abundant the eastern margins of continents.
rainfall, the vegetation is dense, luxuriant, • Experience alternate wet and dry seasons
and evergreen. due to the land-water heating differential:
• These forests support the maximum o Wet season coincides with summers.
diversity of flora and fauna. o Dry season occurs in winters.
• They have mixed species distribution
(many species but fewer individuals per Seasons in the Northern Hemisphere
species). 1. Hot Season – March to May (30°C to
Important Tree Species: Ebony, Mahogany, Aini, 45°C)
Rosewood, Cinchona, Greenheart, Dyewood 2. Wet Season – June to September (20°C to
30°C)
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3. Cold Season – November to February • Cool and Dry Season: October to March
(10°C to 25°C) • Average Temperature: 22°C - 37°C
Rainfall Natural Vegetation
• Annual Precipitation: 50 to 300 cm • Comprises tropical grasslands, also known
• Most of the rainfall is concentrated in the 4 as Savannas.
months of the wet season. • The grasses are tall, thick, and coarse.
Natural Vegetation • Average height of grasses: 2-3 meters.
• The vegetation depends on the amount of • Elephant grasses can grow as tall as 4-5
precipitation received. meters.
• Tropical deciduous forests shed their • Savannas are not pure grasslands; they
leaves during the dry summer months have scattered deciduous trees.
(March to May) to conserve moisture. Important Tree Species
Important Tree Species • Acacia
• Teak • Drought-resistant trees like Baobab and
• Sal Bottle Tree
• Acacia Wildfires and Adaptation
• Deodar • Tropical grasslands experience natural
• Eucalyptus (found in Australia) wildfires almost annually due to high
• Bamboo (found in regions of very heavy temperatures and semi-arid conditions.
rainfall) • Wildfires help in the regeneration of
Vegetation Distribution grasses.
• In regions of heavy rainfall (e.g., Northeast • Some fire-resistant tree species (Pyrotic
India and Myanmar), highly dense Trees) are found in these regions.
deciduous forests are found (but still less Wildlife and Tribes
dense than equatorial rainforests). • Tropical Grasslands are major hunting
• In regions with less precipitation, thorny grounds for wildlife, earning them the name
scrublands may be found. "Parkland Savanna" or "Big Game
Country".
3. Tropical Grasslands / Savannas Tribal Groups
Location • Hausa (Nigeria)
• Latitudinal Range: 10° to 30° N/S • Masai (Kenya, Tanzania)
(interiors of continents). • Llameros (Venezuela)
Particular Areas
• Africa: Sudan, Mali, Niger, Ghana, Kenya, 4. Tropical Deserts
• Brazilian Highlands (Campos). Location
• Orinoco Basin (Venezuela) (called Llanos). • Latitudinal Range: 20° - 30° N/S (Western
• Northern Australia (south of tropical margins of continents).
monsoonal areas). Climatic Factors
Climate • Offshore trade winds + subtropical high-
• Semi-arid regions of the world. pressure belts → cause descending winds,
• Annual Precipitation: 50 - 150 cm. calm conditions, and very little rainfall
• Alternate Wet and Dry Seasons: (descending effect).
o Wet season coincides with • High annual temperature: 35°C - 40°C.
summers. • Very little annual rainfall: < 25 cm.
o Dry season coincides with winters. • Intense insolation and extremely dry
Seasons conditions.
• Hot and Rainy Season: April to
September
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• Cold ocean currents on the western • Average Summer Temperature: 18°C -

margins of continents further intensify arid 24°C.
conditions. • Winters are cold, but Southern
Particular Areas Hemisphere winters are milder due to
• Sahara Desert (Africa) maritime influence.
o Kalahari Desert (semi-arid; receives 25- Particular Areas
40 cm precipitation). 1. Southern Canada & North-Central U.S.
• Namib Desert (Prairies).
• Atacama Desert 2. Argentina & Uruguay (Pampas).
• California Desert 3. Southern Africa (Veld).
• Mojave Desert (Arizona & Northern 4. Hungary (Pustaz), Russia, Ukraine
Mexico). (Steppes).
• Great Australian Desert 5. Murray-Darling Basin, Australia (Downs).
• Arabian Desert (includes Thar Desert in Types of Temperate Grasslands
India) (Based on precipitation received)
Tribal Groups • Prairie-type → Wetter.
• Bushmen (Kalahari Desert) • Steppes-type → Drier.
• Tuareg (Western Sahara) Natural Vegetation
• Bindibu (Australia) • Composed of short, soft, and nutritious
Natural Vegetation (Xerophytic Vegetation) grasses.
• Desert vegetation is highly adapted to • Usually tree-less, forming pure grasslands.
extreme temperatures and scarcity of • Now extensively cleared for mechanized
rainfall. cultivation of wheat & maize.
Important Adaptations • Known as "Wheat Baskets of the World"
1. Deep Roots → Plants extract moisture from or "Granaries of the World".
deep soil (e.g., tap root system).
2. Thick & Waxy Stems → Store moisture Tropical vs. Temperate Grasslands
(e.g., cactus). Tropical Temperate
3. Needle-like Leaves → Minimize Feature
Grasslands Grasslands
evapotranspiration losses.
Type Not pure Pure
4. Dormancy Adaptation → Some desert
plants remain dormant for years and bloom Grass
Long, coarse Short, soft
only after rainfall. Characteristics
Hunting Granaries of
Usage
5. Temperate Desert grounds the world
Particular Areas
• Gobi Desert (Continentality effect). 7. Tundra Biome
• Patagonia Desert (Leeward side of the Location
Andes). • Beyond the Arctic & Antarctic Circle.
Types of Tundra
6. Temperate Grasslands 1. Greenland – Permafrost Tundra
Location (Permanent ice sheets, no vegetation) →
• 40° - 55° N/S (Interior of the continents). Found in Greenland & Antarctica.
• Under the influence of westerlies, but 2. Tundra Biome (Characterized by extreme
remote from the onshore influence of cold and minimal vegetation).
westerlies → Annual precipitation: 25-65 Particular Areas
cm. 1. Most of Alaska, Northern Canada.
Temperature 2. Northernmost region of Scandinavia.
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3. Northern Russia. • Only a few species of coniferous trees exist,

Climatic Conditions but they are well-adapted to survive a large
• Very long & severe winters (lasting 9-10 annual temperature range (50-60°C).
months). • Adaptations:
• Winter temperatures: -35°C to -40°C, with o Cone-shaped trees with drooping
complete darkness. stems.
• Summer season is short (2-3 months). o Needle-like leaves to reduce moisture
• Summer temperature can reach up to loss.
10°C due to long daylight hours, but Important Tree Species
heating is weak due to slanting sun rays. • Pine, Fir, Spruce, Cedar, Larch
Natural Vegetation (Deciduous conifer, but generally
• Greatest limiting factor → Deficiency of evergreen).
heat. Here's the structured and refined version of the
o Only elementary vegetation can Temperate Deciduous Forests (British Type of
survive, such as: Mosses, Lichens, Climate) section:
Sedges
• During summer, when snow melts, small 9. Temperate Deciduous Forests (British Type of
flowers and bushes may grow. Climate)
• Along the coast, grasses like Raindeers (Also known as Cool Temperate West Marginal
(Reindeer Moss) may thrive. Climate)
• Shortest Growing Season among all Latitudinal Range
biomes. • 45° - 60° N & S of the Equator.
Particular Areas
8. Taiga / Temperate Coniferous Forests / Boreal • Europe: Britain, Northern & Western
Forests France, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands.
(Also known as Temperate Evergreen Forests) • North America: British Columbia (Coastal
Latitudinal Range Canada & USA).
• 55° - 70° N. • South America: Southern Chile.
Particular Areas • Oceania: Tasmania & Most of New Zealand.
• Northern Canada. Climatic Characteristics
• Norway, Sweden, Finland. • Permanently influenced by Westerlies &
• Northern Russia (Siberia). Temperate Cyclonic Activity.
Climate & Precipitation • Annual Precipitation: 50 - 200 cm
• Precipitation: 25 - 100 cm, influenced by (distributed throughout the year).
temperature cyclones. • Summer Temperature: 18 - 25°C (mild and
• Annual precipitation is sufficient to pleasant).
support forests (Precipitation > • Winter Temperature: Often falls below
Evapotranspiration losses). 0°C, but remains milder due to the
• Winters are extremely cold, with maritime effect.
temperatures ranging from -44°C to -50°C. Natural Vegetation
• Summers are short, but temperatures can • Composed of temperate deciduous forests.
rise up to 20°C. • Trees shed leaves in autumn to conserve
Natural Vegetation energy before the onset of severe winter.
• Composed of coniferous forests. Important Tree Species
• These forests form a continuous belt across • Elm, Oak, Maple, Beech, Birch.
North America, Europe, and Siberia, • New Zealand: The Kauri tree
making them the world’s largest forest belt. (economically valuable for timber and resin).

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• Resin from Kauri is known as "Kauri “Orchards of the World” (major producers
Gum", which has commercial significance. of oranges, lemons, grapes, and figs).

10. Mediterranean Biome Here's a structured and refined version of Other

(Also known as the Warm Temperate West Marginal Climate Types for better readability:
Climate)
Latitudinal Range 11. Other Climate Types
• 30° - 45° N & S of the Equator
Climatic Characteristics I. Laurentian / St. Lawrence Type (Cool
• Annual Precipitation: 35 - 90 cm Temperate East Margin)
• Winters: Cold and wet due to onshore Latitudinal Range:
westerlies. • 45° - 60° N (Eastern margins of continents).
• Summers: Warm (20 - 28°C) and dry due to Particular Areas:
offshore trade winds. • North America: Eastern Canada,
• Cause: Seasonal shifting of pressure belts & Northeastern USA.
wind systems due to the apparent • Asia: Northern Japan, Northeast China,
movement of the sun. Northern Korea, Eastern Siberia.
Particular Areas Climatic Characteristics:
• Europe: Countries bordering the • Influenced by: Temperate cyclones &
Mediterranean Sea (Spain, Italy, Greece, offshore westerlies.
etc.). • Summer Temperature: Warm (~ 20°C).
• North America: California (San Francisco • Winter Temperature: Sub-zero.
region). • Precipitation: Moderate (~ 100 cm) due to
• South America: Central Chile. temperate cyclonic activity.
• Oceania: Southern & Southwestern Natural Vegetation:
Australia. • Mixed forests:
• Africa: Western Cape of South Africa. o North of 50°N → Temperate Coniferous
Natural Vegetation Trees (e.g., Korean Pine).
Depends on precipitation levels: o South of 50°N → Temperate Deciduous
• If rainfall > 50 cm → Evergreen forests Trees (e.g., Elm, Oak).
grow. Economic Significance:
Important Tree Species: • Fruit cultivation: Pear, Peach, Plum, Apple,
o Oak (Spain, Portugal). Orange.
o Olive (Europe).
o Eucalyptus (Australia). II. Temperate Monsoonal / China Type
o Giant Sequoia (California). Latitudinal Range:
• If rainfall < 50 cm → Fragrant bushes & • 25° - 40° N & S (Subtropical regions).
shrubs grow (typical Mediterranean scrub Particular Areas:
vegetation). • Asia: Southern China, Southern Japan,
Common Shrub Species: Southern Korea.
o Laurel. • North America: Southeastern USA.
o Myrtle. • South America: Southern Paraguay,
o Rosemary. Northern Argentina.
o Lavender. • Africa: Southeastern Africa.
Economic Significance • Australia: New South Wales & Southern
• These regions are famous for citrus fruit Queensland.
cultivation, leading to the name: Climatic Characteristics:

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• Summer: Warm & short (24°-27°C), with Biomes & Their Vegetation Types
75-125 cm precipitation due to onshore Precipitation
trade winds. Biome Type Remarks
Range
• Winter: Cold & dry (5°-10°C).
Deciduous
• Tropical Cyclones affect these regions: Temperate
forests,
o Hurricanes → Gulf of Mexico. Deciduous 50 - 120 cm
moderate
o Typhoons → Western Pacific. (British Type)
climate.
o Willy-Willy → Australia.
Natural Vegetation: Hot, dry
• Mixed forests, depending on rainfall: Mediterranean 30 - 40 cm summers; mild,
o Higher rainfall areas → Evergreen wet winters.
trees. Extreme aridity,
o Lower rainfall areas → Deciduous Tropical Desert 10 - 30 cm xerophytic
trees. vegetation.
• Economic Significance: Mulberry Savannas,
cultivation (China Silk Industry). Tropical
10 - 150 cm interspersed
• Grasslands
trees.
Forest Classification
Monsoonal
1. Tropical Forests
Tropical forests, shed
• Evergreen → Equatorial regions 50 - 300 cm
Deciduous leaves in dry
(Coniferous trees).
season.
• Deciduous → Transitional zones (Shifting to
Monsoon Climate). Prairies,
2. Temperate Forests Temperate Pampas,
25 - 65 cm
• Evergreen → Taiga (Boreal Forests) Grasslands Steppes,
(Continuous belt across North America, Downs.
Europe, and Siberia). Cold-tolerant
Taiga (Boreal
• Deciduous → British Type Climate (Sheds 25 - 100 cm coniferous
Forests)
leaves in autumn before winter). forests.
Mixed
Grassland Classification Laurentian / St. vegetation
• Tropical Grasslands → Savannas. 50 - 120 cm
Lawrence Type (deciduous &
• Temperate Grasslands → Prairies,
coniferous).
Pampas, Steppes, Veld, Downs.
Deficiency-Based Biomes Seasonal
Temperate
• Rain Deficiency → Tropical Desert.
variations in
Monsoon (China 25 - 125 cm
• Temperature Deficiency → Tundra.
rainfall &
Type)
temperature.
Shifting of Pressure Belts
• Leads to the formation of the
Mediterranean Type of Climate.

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Diagram of Climate types for Easy

understanding

Temperate Deciduous Taiga 25-100cm Laurentian/st Laurence

(British Type) 50-120cm type 50-120cm

Temperate Grassland
Mixed type
25-65cm
Mediterranean

Temperate monsoon
(China type 25-125cm)

Tropical Desert Tropical Grassland Tropical Deciduous al

Deciduous
50-150cm

Tropical Ever green

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