Term | Definition |
Biome | a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra. |
climate | the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. |
desert | The desert biome is an ecosystem that forms due to the low level of rainfall it receives each year. Deserts cover about 20% of the Earth. |
rain forest | The tropical rainforest biome is an ecosystem that covers about 7% of the Earth's surface. |
emergent layer | The tallest trees are the emergents, towering as much as 200 feet above the forest floor with trunks that measure up to 16 feet around. |
canopy | the uppermost trees or branches of the trees in a forest, forming a more or less continuous layer of foliage. |
understory | a layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest. |
grassland | a large open area of country covered with grass, especially one used for grazing. |
savanna | a grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees. |
deciduous tree | deciduous is something that sheds after a period of time |
boreal forest | biome characterized by coniferous forests consisting mostly of pines, spruces and larches. |
ciniferous tree | mostly evergreen trees and shrubs having usually needle-shaped or scalelike leaves |
tundra | A cold, treeless, usually lowland area of far northern regions. The lower strata of soil of tundras are permanently frozen |
permafrost | Permafrost is soil, rock or sediment that is frozen for more than two consecutive years |