A biome is a large region of Earth with its own climate, plants, and animals. Let's explore them all!
A biome is a large geographic area of distinctive plant and animal groups that are adapted to that particular environment. The climate — especially temperature and rainfall — determines which biome exists in a given place. Earth has several major biomes, each with its own unique ecosystems.
Click any biome to learn about its climate, the plants and animals that live there, and why it matters for life on Earth.
Hot, wet, and full of life
Dry, hot, and surprisingly alive
Frozen and harsh but beautiful
Wide open spaces, rich with wildlife
Towering peaks and altitude zones
Nature's water filters
Earth's largest biome
major biome types on Earth — aquatic, grassland, forest, desert, and tundra
of Earth's land surface covered by tropical rainforests — yet they hold 50%+ of all species
of Earth's land is desert — more land than any other biome type on the planet
of Earth's surface covered by the ocean biome — making it by far the largest biome
Every biome plays a critical role in regulating Earth's climate, storing carbon, filtering water, and providing habitats for millions of species. When biomes are damaged or destroyed — through deforestation, pollution, or climate change — it affects the entire planet. Understanding biomes is the first step to protecting them.
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