Global climate and the distribution of plant biomes

• Published in: Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological sciences 2004-10, Vol.359 (1450), p.1465-1476
• Main Authors: Pennington, P. T., Cronk, Q. C. B., Richardson, J. A., Woodward, F. I., Lomas, M. R., Kelly, C. K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biome; Climate; Cropland; Forest; Grassland
• ISSN: 0962-8436; 1471-2970
• DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2004.1525

Biomes are areas of vegetation that are characterized by the same life–form. Traditional definitions of biomes have also included either geographical or climatic descriptors. This approach describes a wide range of biomes that can be correlated with characteristic climatic conditions, or climatic envelopes. The application of remote sensing technology to the frequent observation of biomes has led to a move away from the often subjective definition of biomes to one that is objective. Carefully characterized observations of life–form, by satellite, have been used to reconsider biome classification and their climatic envelopes. Five major tree biomes can be recognized by satellites based on leaf longevity and morphology: needleleaf evergreen, broadleaf evergreen, needleleaf deciduous, broadleaf cold deciduous and broadleaf drought deciduous. Observations indicate that broadleaf drought deciduous vegetation grades substantially into broadleaf evergreen vegetation. The needleleaf deciduous biome occurs in the world's coldest climates, where summer drought and therefore a drought deciduous biome are absent.