Breddebiomer

Breddebiomer refers to a concept in ecology describing biome types that span across a wide latitudinal range. Instead of being confined to a specific latitude, these biomes extend from near the equator towards the poles, or vice-versa, often adapting to varying climatic conditions within their extensive geographical spread.

A prime example of a breddebiom is the boreal forest, also known as the taiga. This biome stretches across North America and Eurasia, encompassing a vast latitudinal band. While it experiences significant temperature gradients from its southern to northern boundaries, it retains characteristic features such as coniferous trees, low biodiversity compared to tropical forests, and seasonal snow cover.

Another example can be considered the temperate grasslands, which appear in several continents at mid-latitudes, exhibiting similar ecological characteristics despite geographical separation. The defining factor of a breddebiom is not its latitudinal position but its extensive north-south or south-north distribution. These biomes often exhibit gradient changes in vegetation and animal life as one moves through their latitudinal extent. Understanding breddebiomer is crucial for comprehending global biodiversity patterns and the impact of climate change on large-scale ecosystems.