ABSTRACT
In landscape ecology, principal terrestrial ecosystems (biomes) are classified into six broad categories: tundra, desert, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, tropical (or subtropical) rainforest, and grassland. Differently from aquatic ecosystems, in terrestrial ones, the availability of water is critical, and water may become a limiting factor. Moreover, terrestrial ecosystems present less stable conditions than aquatic ones. For example, climatic characteristics, such as temperature, rainfall, wind, and airborne humidity, may change dramatically during the year, the seasonal cycle, or even in shorter time spans (days/ hours).
