Level 67
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Climates and Ecosystems of the Planet

Biomes and Ecosystems of the World

An exploration of how climate and latitude shape the great biomes of the planet, from rainforests to tundra, and of the human pressures now threatening them.

60-Second Review

Express review

A condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.

  1. Classifying Biomes: Tropical Forests and Savannas. Climate and latitude define biomes, from the Amazon and Congo rainforests to the Serengeti savanna.
  2. Deserts and Grasslands. From the Sahara to the Eurasian steppe, deserts and grasslands form where rainfall is scarce or seasonal.
  3. Forests, Taiga, and Tundra. Mediterranean scrub, deciduous forest, taiga, and tundra mark cooler and higher-latitude biomes.
  4. Soils and Biodiversity Hotspots. Soil formation underpins ecosystems, while biodiversity hotspots concentrate endemic species under threat.
  5. Marine, Coastal, and Threatened Habitats. Deforestation, fragmentation, and pressure on coral reefs and mangroves threaten habitats worldwide.
  6. Freshwater Ecosystems and Ocean Productivity. Rivers, lakes, wetlands, and ocean currents sustain freshwater and marine productivity worldwide.
  7. Human Impact and Conservation. Invasive species, overfishing, and climate shifts threaten biomes, countered by protected areas and conservation.

This module continues after "Climate Systems and Meteorology" in the syllabus. If you haven't reviewed it yet, it may help set the context.

Key points

Visual module map

1Classifying Biomes: Tropical Forests and Savannas
2Forests, Taiga, and Tundra
3Soils and Biodiversity Hotspots
4Freshwater Ecosystems and Ocean Productivity
5Human Impact and Conservation

Alternative visual view: a simplified sequence of some of the module's key points, in their order within the syllabus.

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Final test

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Optional mini-games

Extra practice, with no penalty, to reinforce the module's content.

Review Flashcards

Review each key point with cards that flip to reveal the summary.

Memory

Match each concept with its definition in as few attempts as possible.

Time Attack

Answer true or false statements before time runs out.

Chronological Order

Put the module's key points back in their original order.

Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Lomolino, M. V., Riddle, B. R., and Whittaker, R. J. (2016). Biogeography: Biological Diversity Across Space and Time. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates.
  • Myers, N., Mittermeier, R. A., Mittermeier, C. G., da Fonseca, G. A. B., and Kent, J. (2000). "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities." Nature, 403, 853-858.
  • MacArthur, R. H., and Wilson, E. O. (1967). The Theory of Island Biogeography. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
  • Costanza, R., et al. (1997). "The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital." Nature, 387, 253-260.
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF). "Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World." https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/terrestrial-ecoregions-of-the-world