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Terrestrial biomes

Terrestrial Biomes

Thismap, after [Whittaker 1975] , shows one way of classifying terrestrial ecological systems into biomes.

Use the bibliography to find out whatother ways there are to map terrestrial ecological systems.

Such maps may be based on dominant vegetation types and / or abiotic factors.

Physiognomy

At one level, a tropical rainforest in S.E. Asia and a tropical rainforest in Amazonia may look similar.

This is because the major vegetation types in both areas have a similar form and structure (or physiognomy) even though the constituent species may be different.

Physiognomy is used to map terrestrial ecological systems.

• Why is it not used in aquatic systems?
  

Abiotic Factors

Abiotic factors can influence the distribution of biomes.

Abiotic factors include:

• climatic factors, such as rainfall and temperature;
• geographical factors, such as latitude and altitude;
• geophysical factors, such as soil type.