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Habitats

More About Habitats
Photo: Desert landscape of cardon cacti and boojum trees against a gray sky

Deserts

A wealth of plant and animal life.

Learn More
Photo: Twilight view of cattails growing on the banks of a freshwater lagoon in South Carolina's Huntington Beach State Park

Fresh Water

Clean, abundant water is the essence of life.

Get the Facts
Photo: North Dakota prairie sunrise

Grasslands

Earth's most agriculturally useful habitats.

Find Out More
Photo: This aerial view captures a large wave crashing into the coastline of an island in the Republic of Palau

Oceans

One of the world's most thrilling habitats.

Dive In
Photo: scenic view from Mt. Des Voeux over pristine rain forest

Rain Forests

Shelter for more than half of the world's species.

Read More
Photo: Tundra in fall colors with the high Sierra surrounded by clouds

Tundra

Life in the extreme.

Get the Facts
Photo: Smog over Los Angeles skyline

Urban

Populations on the rise.

Learn More

Agricultural Land

Producing food for billions.

Learn More

Did You Know?

The Chihuahuan desert in Mexico is one of the most biologically rich and diverse deserts in the world, rivaled only by the Namib-Karoo of southern Africa and the Great Sandy Desert of Australia.

More About Habitats

News: Latest Earth Stories

Sinkhole Swallows Hiker
Shifts in Earth's Magnetic Field Driven by Oceans?
Typhoons Can Trigger Earthquakes, Study Suggests
See More Earth News
RSS
What Is RSS?

Habitats Related Features
Photo: Large waves characterize the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica

Quiz: Habitats

Earth's surface is made up of thousands of different habitats and ecosystems, all with unique characteristics. Can you tell the difference between a desert and a tundra? Know how much of Earth's surface is all wet?

Take the Quiz
Photo: Man putting out fire in forest

Video: State of the Earth—Land

When land is stripped bare, it can simply blow away.

Watch Video
Photo: Sharks

Quiz: Oceans

How much do you know about the world's threatened oceans?

Start the Quiz
Photo: Geysers and mineral pools of Nevada's Black Rock Desert

Photo Gallery: Desert Landscapes

Discover dunes and dive into seas of sand from Australia to the Middle East and beyond in this gallery dedicated to Earth’s most barren landscapes.

More Desert Photos

Habitats Topics

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Photo Gallery

See how Lipton is dedicated to sustainable agriculture. View pictures from Boyd Matson's trip to Africa.
Photo: Puffin

Photo Contest

Think your photo is the "Ultimate" winner? Submit your best in six different categories.

For Kids! Creature Features
Image: Creature Features logo

Click to learn more about animals and their habitats.

See Photos

Lesson Plan: Using Ocean Maps
Image: Xpeditions logo

Find a variety of geography lesson plans and activities for all age groups.

Find Out More