Global Biomes
Explore ecological biome classifications and discover the benchmarks available for each biome.
What are global biomes?
Biomes are large-scale ecological regions characterised by distinct climate conditions, vegetation patterns, and soil types — such as savanna, grassland, forest, or fynbos. They provide the broadest environmental context for ecological benchmarks.
Because ecological conditions vary fundamentally between biomes, benchmark values for the same indicator will often differ across biome boundaries. Understanding which biome applies to your site is a critical first step in selecting the right benchmarks.
Alpine and Subalpine Complex
High elevation regions characterized by cold climates, persistent snow cover, short growing seasons, thin rocky soils, and specialized vegetation adap…
Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
Arid and semi-arid regions dominated by vast floodplains and anastomosing ephemeral river systems, shaped by episodic large-scale flooding from distan…
Arid Interior Dunefields & Sandy Deserts
Extremely arid regions dominated by deep sandy substrates, including extensive dunefields and sandplains, characterized by consistently low and highly…
Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
Arid regions dominated by limestone-based karstic landforms with thin calcareous soils, subterranean hydrology, scarce surface water, and sparse veget…
Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
Arid and semi-arid regions featuring significant topographic relief, including mountain ranges, dissected plateaus, and uplands, characterized by skel…
Arid Shrublands & Stony Plains
Arid to semi-arid regions characterized by low and erratic rainfall, finer-textured or stony soils, ephemeral hydrology, and sparse to moderate shrubl…
Cold Maritime Islands & Subpolar Grasslands
Remote cold maritime islands characterized by low mean temperatures, extremely high humidity, persistent cloud cover, frequent precipitation, peaty an…
Cool Temperate Rainforests & Wet Forests
Cool maritime temperate regions characterized by high and reliable rainfall, mild summers, cool wet winters, frequent cloud cover, dense closed-canopy…
Mediterranean Heathlands & Nutrient-Poor Shrublands
Regions with a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot dry summers, mild wet winters, ancient soils, seasonal wetlands, and dense low heathlands an…
Semi-Arid Transition Woodlands & Shrublands
Semi-arid regions forming ecological transitions between arid interiors and more temperate or tropical zones, characterized by low to moderate seasona…
Sub-Humid Clay Woodlands & Open Forests
Sub-humid to semi-arid regions characterized by moderate summer-dominant rainfall, clay-rich cracking soils, ephemeral hydrology with gilgai microreli…
Temperate Coastal Forests & Woodlands
Temperate coastal regions characterized by mild to warm summers, cool winters, reliable moderate to high rainfall, diverse soil types, and dense fores…
Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Temperate regions with moderate to low rainfall, mild summers, cool winters, and landscapes dominated by open dry woodlands and native grasslands, oft…
Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Temperate regions with moderate rainfall, distinct seasonal climates, relatively fertile soils, and landscapes historically dominated by open grassy w…
Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
Temperate semi-arid regions characterized by hot dry summers, cool moist winters, sandy or calcareous soils, scarce surface water, and vegetation domi…
Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Tropical and subtropical oceanic islands characterized by strong maritime climatic influences, moderate to high rainfall, unique geological origins, l…
Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Tropical and subtropical regions characterized by consistently warm to hot temperatures, high rainfall, high humidity, fertile soils, perennial stream…
Tropical Coastal Thickets & Seasonal Low Forests
Tropical coastal and near-coastal regions influenced by monsoonal climates or strong maritime conditions, characterized by dense vine thickets, coasta…
Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Tropical regions characterized by consistently high temperatures, strongly seasonal rainfall with a pronounced wet and dry season, ancient soils, seas…