16 Different Types of Habitats Around the World

The word habitat comes from the Latin term “habitare”, meaning “to dwell”. Habitats describe different environments worldwide, from a small pool of water to a massive icy tundra.

Habitat is defined as a specific area with unique conditions that support its own forms of biological life—plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms that live in unison and share the same environment.

Mainstream resources say that there are four main types of habitat, though the list extends to include far more—the Arctic, aquatic, coastal, desert, wetlands, and even the depths of the deep ocean all count as different types of habitats.

A natural habitat might be small but can also be larger. Something as small as a pool of water or the underside of a leaf might contain its microhabitat – where these organisms can survive and flourish.

It is important to define habitats in order to protect them. Definitions help us set the borderlines for habitats and seek out sustainable solutions against habitat destruction.

Statistical estimates say that human activity, deforestation, pollution, and other factors have damaged as much as 40% of world habitats. It becomes almost immediately apparent why the world’s habitats need protection. Without protection, many endangered species would become extinct.

Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) encourage the sustainability and protection of world habitats, and many other smaller groups do the same worldwide. Did you know that each habitat is categorized by its own specific definition—that is, the conditions that set it apart from another habitat nearby?

Aquatic and marine habitats, for example, are similar. Both contain water, but they are not the same—and marine habitats contain a higher salt concentration than aquatic habitats, which sets them apart by definition.

16 different types of habitats around the world

1. Arctic

The Arctic Circle comprises a massive area, though its total size is only about 4% of the Earth’s total surface area—and much more of the planet is comparatively covered in grasslands (up to 20% to 40%) instead. Intensely low temperatures characterize the Arctic habitat, and the area often gets covered in ice for some (or sometimes most) of the year.

The temperature drop experienced in the Arctic habitat makes it a much different place than grassland or desert: Arctic temperatures measure up to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are shorter in the Arctic, and winters are much longer – and colder – due to the position of this habitat on the globe.

Canada and some parts of Alaska are amongst the areas that make up the Arctic stretch. Not too far from this, you’ll find the Arctic Ocean – at 5.4 million miles, it’s the world’s smallest.

Unfortunately, the Arctic is under severe threat due to global warming and increased pollution. The higher the world’s carbon footprint climbs, the higher the temperatures in the Arctic.

As the ice melts in the Arctic region, more of its life is threatened. The impact can be felt worldwide, and changing temperature is not the only consequence of melted ice—every part of nature is affected by it.

Worldwide initiatives exist to aid environmental sustainability and the continuation of life in these regions. Organizations like PAME support the protection of the Arctic marine environment.

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2. Aquatic

Aquatic habitats are dominated by water, though not as much as bodies of the ocean, which would fall into their own category. This includes freshwater, marine, and coastal habitats. Freshwater habitats consist of bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, which are different types of freshwater habitats.

Marine habitats are mainly composed of the oceans, which contain salty water. When freshwater and marine habitats meet, they can form salt marshes, mangroves, and mudflats.

Water covers more than 70% of the world’s surface and supports the majority of life on earth. Millions of microorganisms, animals, and water-based life call aquatic habitats home.

According to statistics, aquatic habitats are, unfortunately, also one of the worst affected environments on Earth. While natural disasters account for some of the damage that aquatic environments experience, most of the damage comes from pollution and the consequences of irresponsible industry.

As much as 35% of the world’s natural coral reefs have been destroyed and turned into what’s called “dead zones” through environmentally irresponsible behavior. Over 500 of these “dead zones” exist worldwide within aquatic habitats.

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3. Coastal

The coastal habitat makes up approximately 7& of the world’s total land surface. It doesn’t seem like much compared to other habitats (like grassland) that comprise as much as 20% to 40% of the planet’s land, but it’s an essential biome.

The coastal habitat is the meeting point between sea and land, where terrestrial meets aquatic. Estuaries, beaches, rock pools, dunes, and coastal forests are all different types of coastal habitats all over the world that you might encounter.

Coral reefs and marshes are other coastal habitat types, though reefs might also be considered aquatic depending on their depth! Despite their small size in comparison to other habitats, coastal biomes contain more than 20% of the world’s biodiversity.

Coasts are ever-changing: erosion and weather do their part to move the lines of the coast over time. Weather is ever-evolving, and tropical/subtropical weather systems are often found near the world’s coasts.

Unfortunately, coasts are also among the world’s worst-affected habitats. While home to 20% of total biodiversity, they bear the brunt of the impact of industry, pollution, and heightened temperatures.

Nature also causes problems for the coast; while shoreline erosion is a natural phenomenon, human intervention is necessary to stop the damage that natural erosion might cause.

The coast is one of the most important biomes to protect. Without it, countless industries would collapse on the spot.

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4. Desert

Deserts are one of the land habitats that get their name from the dry, arid conditions they have. It’s almost the opposite of what you would expect from a comparative coastal habitat. Deserts are not rainy and humid but are known for their extreme conditions.

Approximately 35% of the world’s land is covered in different deserts: the Gobi Desert in China, the Namib and Sahara in Africa, and the Thar Desert in India are just some of the world’s deserts. The Sahara is the world’s officially largest desert, home to a particular species of animals and plants that you’ll only find in this particular habitat.

Deserts are known for their intense heat, which makes the average desert a specific habitat where everything cannot survive. Temperatures reach extremes, and some deserts stay at a constant daily temperature of around 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the conditions, plant life and other living organisms can still be found here.

At night, deserts are not as warm as you might think. When winds pick up, temperatures drop to a more comfortable cold, allowing nighttime life to flourish.

Plants and animals that thrive in the desert have adaptations that ensure they are adapted to survive such a harsh, arid climate. Desert plants will hold their moisture, while many grow under the protective barrier of the sand instead. Animals are more active at night and take advantage of the temperature drop to move and hunt.

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5. Desert (Manmade)

Deserts are not always a type of habitat that occurs naturally but can also be created through decades of ecological disaster. The world’s forests, savannas, and wetlands are all under severe threat.

When all the resources in this area have been depleted by pollution and ecological damage, the landscape and habitat might start to look a little different. Deforestation also contributes to massive habitat changes.

Over time, today, lush and green areas could become manmade deserts.

Manmade deserts are, by definition, their own habitats but are also a form of ecological interference that the rest of the planet can do without. Worldwide projects exist to restore the longevity and lushness of deserts we have created ourselves. With balance and time, restoring a desert to its former glory is entirely possible.

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6. Forest

A forest is a habitat dominated by trees and lush growth. Forests make up approximately 31% of the world’s total landmass and are divided into different varieties: coniferous forests, coastal forests, boreal forests, and tropical rain forests.

• A coniferous forest is a habitat dominated by evergreen trees. It is found in areas with significant rainfall and makes up approximately 23% of the world’s forests.
• A coastal forest is a habitat found close to a body of water, typically in a moist climate. Coastal forests comprise around 6% of the world’s forests and are home to many different types of trees, shrubs, and other plants.
• A boreal forest is a habitat found in cold, wet climates. It makes up around 28% of the world’s forests and is home to many different types of trees, shrubs, and other plants.
• A tropical rainforest is a habitat near the equator that receives a significant amount of rainfall each year. These forests comprise around 10% of the world’s forests and are home to many trees, shrubs, and other plants.

Forests’ conditions are often warm and humid but extremely rich and diverse. Forests are home to many microhabitats, small biomes that provide life for creatures on the underside of rocks or leaves.

Depending on which resource you ask, there are three main types of forests—though some will expand this list to six: tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and boreal forests.

What defines a forest by these three different types? Their elevation: boreal forests and tropical forests are located at different heights. This is part of what contributes to their vastly different environmental conditions.

Forests are particularly hard hit by human influence and deforestation. Statistics from ourworldddata.org say that the internet has lost one-third of its forest biome.

Wildlife statistics say only about 5% of redwoods are left in nature. Deforestation is one of the largest problems facing the world’s forest habitats, and forests everywhere need protection.

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7. Grassland

The grassland habitat is one of the world’s largest habitat types and mixes moderate to warm weather with a diverse collection of creatures that would be too much for a single article to list.

Grasslands are defined by large, open plains of grass, ideal for grazing animals and a wide variety of insects. According to the National Geographic Society, as much as 20% to 40% of the world’s surface is estimated to be covered in grassland.

Why is there such a large difference in the estimation? Unfortunately, the world’s grass is disappearing at such a rate that a total, accurate estimation of how much is left would be difficult – and ever-changing.

PopSci.com says that only 10% of the world’s grassland remains “completely intact” today. Damage to the world’s grassland habitat is far more than most people think.

Not only the melting ice but also the disappearing grasslands should be an immediate environmental concern. Grasslands can be found everywhere. The Eurasian Steppes is one of the world’s largest grasslands, stretching from Hungary to China.

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8. Tundra

Tundra is one of the world’s specific ice-dominated habitats, making up approximately 10% of the world’s total land surface.

Of course, you might have guessed that tundras are covered in ice – but did you know that they are also referred to as the ice deserts of the world?

Tundra exists in places like Alaska and Canada, though many others exist worldwide.

The tundra is characterized by extremely cold temperatures, which people might find uncomfortable but which make it an ideal environment for the animals found here.

Special adaptations protect the unique tundra, which is their habitat. Penguins and whales are just two animals perfectly adapted for life here.

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9. Mountain Ranges

A mountain range is defined as a continual series of mountains chained together, and several such ranges exist worldwide. The Himalayas and the Andes are two of the most famous mountain ranges in the world—and, unfortunately, some of the most under threat. Mountain ranges are defined by their peaks, and a mountain range will have its highest summit.

Mountaineering is an “extreme sport” for good reason: conditions are harsh and become harder for humans to deal with as you go higher up the mountain. As one rises a mountain range, pressure and oxygen levels change – and for people not used to this environment through long-term exposure, simple actions like moving or breathing will become difficult. Harsh for people, mountain ranges can surprisingly still support ample life as their unique habitat.

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10. Steppes

The steppes are a type of habitat that crosses over with another but also exists as its own due to its elevation level. The Eurasian steppes are perhaps the most famous mentions of this habitat in the world—and in fact, they are so well-known that they are just referred to as the steppes.

The conditions found within steppes can be extremely harsh and mountainous. They are not ideal for human exploration but perfect for the animals that have adapted to them. Like most of the world’s habitats, the steppes are considered to be under severe threat and need just as much protection due to the effects of our carbon footprint.

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11. Wetlands

Wetlands make up approximately 7% of the world’s total land area, making them one of the smaller habitats when measured by total coverage – but they might also be one of the most important biomes we have on the planet. Wetlands are defined by their ability to hold water; the average marsh, bog, and wetland soil is waterlogged for either a partial or full section of the year.

Although wetlands make up less than grasslands or forests, they are essential for the functioning of the world’s other habitats. Wetlands act as a natural filtration system for the water that passes through, guaranteeing cleaner lakes and rivers. If wetlands aren’t at their full capacity, it can (and will) affect the water quality on the other side.

It’s not only about their role as a filter. Wetlands also protect the natural environment against harm during storms and provide a long-term barrier against erosion that might damage the surrounding habitats. Worldwide projects (including from the World Wildlife Fund) are in place to protect and restore the world’s wetlands.

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12. Microhabitats

Habitats don’t always have to describe large stretches of Earth that take up more than 10% to 20% of its landmass but can also be much smaller. Many microhabitats exist in the world, too small for human habitation but perfect for creating an environment in which adapted biological life can survive.

Microhabitats can be found within other habitats, supporting specific forms of life that would not survive anywhere else. Examples of microhabitats are the underside of leaves, where bugs and bacteria might flourish – or a pool of water, ideal for microorganisms that would (again) only survive under these specific conditions.

The world’s microhabitats are under just as serious an ecological threat as larger habitats. Changes like global warming and deforestation don’t just harm big habitats but also damage very small ones.

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13. Extreme Habitats

Extreme habitats are those that would not be ideal for human life and are categorized as such according to certain scientific conditions.

Extreme habitat conditions would be too harsh for humans to survive long-term, though rare organisms can survive under these conditions just fine.

Hypersalinity (e.g. large concentrations of salt), heightened or lowered air pressure, and extreme dryness can put a habitat in this special category.

The extreme habitats of the world have taken us longer to explore and catalog than some others, especially due to the unfavorable conditions for humans.

Technology like drones and live streaming feeds has made access to the world’s extreme habitats much easier. The deep ocean, deserts, volcanoes, and outer space are some examples of extreme habitats. Humans cannot survive these conditions without preparation or gear, but many adapted organisms will.

Organisms that can survive in these extreme conditions are called extremophiles. In modern times, more is known about extremophiles, and some species are still being discovered or described! How exciting is that?

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14. Deep Ocean

The deep ocean is one type of extreme habitat that exists within aquatic environments. The deep ocean is an extreme habitat due to its varied pressure and temperature changes – conditions you would not see higher up.

While humans are not made to explore the deep ocean, we have managed to do so with the help of technology and diving equipment. Creatures like the anglerfish wouldn’t survive under normal oceanic conditions but cope just fine in the deep ocean.

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15. Volcanoes

Volcanoes describe a special environment that can be split into two categories: active or dormant. Some of the world’s volcanoes are in very real danger of eruption, while others have not been considered active for thousands of years – and today, provide an entire ecosystem of their own.

Volcanic soil is rich in carbon and ideal for lush growth.

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16. Outer Space

While outer space is not mentioned as a habitat all too often, it is the perfect example of an extreme habitat. Space pushes conditions to the extreme, but not so much that they cannot support life—many organisms (including tardigrades) function just fine in these harsh conditions.

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