formation type

views updated Jun 08 2018

formation type A world vegetation type which has a relatively uniform appearance and life-forms. A formation is a geographically distinct component of a formation type. For example, the tropical rain forest is a formation type, which has a number of formations, each with a distinctive structure and physiognomy. The term ‘biome’ is nearly synonymous with ‘formation type’, and ‘formations’ are also known as ‘regions’. A formation type is generally regarded as climatic climax vegetation.

formation type

views updated May 21 2018

formation type A world vegetation type which has a relatively uniform appearance and life-forms. A formation is a geographically distinct component of a formation type. For example, the tropical rain forest is a formation type, which has a number of formations, each with a distinctive structure and physiognomy. The term ‘biome’ is nearly synonymous with ‘formation type’, and ‘formations’ are also known as ‘regions’. A formation type is generally regarded as climatic climax vegetation.