Student Resource Page: Classifying Ecological Zones
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|
Domain |
Mean Monthly Temperature |
Annual Precipitation |
Length of Dry Season |
Other Characteristics |
Zone |
|
Tropical |
More than 64° F (18° C) all months of the year |
At least 60 inches (1500 mm), often more than 80 inches (2000 mm) |
0 - 3 months |
Tropical rainforest |
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40 to 80 inches (1000-2000 mm) |
3 - 5 months |
Tropical moist deciduous forest |
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20 to 60 inches (500-1500 mm) |
5 - 8 months |
Tropical dry forest |
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8 to 20 inches (200-500 mm) |
Rain evaporates quickly |
Tropical shrubland |
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Less than 8 inches (less than 200 mm) |
12 months |
Tropical desert |
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Subtropical |
More than 50° F (10° C) at least 8 months of the year |
More than 40 inches (1000 mm) |
0 months (humid) |
Subtropical humid forest |
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|
16 to 36 inches (400-900 mm) |
summer |
Subtropical dry forest |
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Varies |
Rain evaporates quickly |
Subtropical steppe |
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Low rainfall |
12 months |
Subtropical desert |
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Temperate |
More than 50° F (10° C) 4 to 8 months of the year |
16 to 120 inches (400-3000 mm) |
Coldest month is more than 0° C (32° F) |
Temperate oceanic forest |
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Varies |
Coldest month is less than 0° C (32° F) |
Temperate continental forest |
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8 to 16 inches (200-300 mm) |
Rain evaporates quickly |
Temperate steppe/prairie |
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Low rainfall |
12 months |
Temperate desert |
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Boreal |
More than 50° F (10° C) 1 - 4 months of the year |
Usually less than 20 inches (500 mm) |
Mostly dense forest |
Boreal coniferous forest |
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|
Usually less than 20 inches (500 mm) |
Mostly sparse forest and woodland |
Boreal tundra woodland |
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Polar |
Less than 10° C (50° F) all months of the year |
Less than 10° C (50° F) all months of the year |
Polar |
Note: High elevations can affect temperature and plant types. Mountain forests, which are considered to be separate ecological zones, are not shown here. To learn about these zones see the source listed below.
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Forestry Department. Global Ecological Zoning for the Global Forest Resources Assessment, 2000. Rome: FAO, 2001. (accessed October 1, 2008)