Using over 400 color images, the major biomes of the Earth are presented along with their typical natural ecosystems and cultural landscapes, ranging from tropical rainforest areas to the Arctic. The focus is on the particularly defining ecological conditions and characteristics (such as fire as an ecological factor, human use of natural resources, physiological adaptations). The aim of the book is to develop a causal understanding of the individual habitats. The natural and cultural ecosystems of our planet are depicted as they are truly seen by the observer. Additionally, it explains why these images are the way they are.