How does temperature influence biome distribution?

Temperature plays a crucial role in biome distribution by affecting species' metabolic rates and the types of vegetation that can thrive in a given area. In ecological terms, temperature influences the physiological processes of organisms, such as respiration, growth rates, and reproduction. For instance, higher temperatures can lead to increased metabolic rates in many species, which affects their survival and reproductive success.

Moreover, temperature helps determine plant communities in a biome. Different plants have specific temperature ranges within which they can grow optimally. Tropical rainforests, for instance, exist in warm temperatures that permit the growth of diverse and dense vegetation, while temperate forests thrive in a moderate temperature range. In contrast, areas with extreme cold or heat may support only specific adapted species, leading to a different set of ecosystems or biomes.

In summary, temperature is a fundamental environmental factor that shapes the characteristics and distributions of biomes through its impact on both the metabolic functioning of organisms and the ecological systems they create.