biome
biome, the largest geographic biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions. It includes various communities and is named for the dominant type of vegetation, such as grassland or coniferous forest. Several similar biomes constitute a biome type—for example, the temperate deciduous forest biome type includes the deciduous forest biomes of Asia, Europe, and North America. “Major life zone” is the European phrase for the North American biome concept.
A diagram showing that different levels of ecological organization often occur in a given area.An area may be divided into different levels of ecological organization, with smaller units often being nested within larger ones. Biomes, also called major life zones, are the largest ecological units.
Major biomes of BrazilBrazil is home to six major terrestrial biomes—Amazonia, Cerrado, Caatinga, Pantanal, Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest), and Pampa—each with distinct ecosystems, climates, and plant and animal life.
Most scientists recognize five major biome types (aquatic, grassland, forest, desert, and tundra). Sometimes, however, scientists divide Earth’s terrestrial environment into 14 smaller biomes.
Citation Information
Article Title:
biome
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
29 October 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026