Part of biosphere. Biosphere is the ecological term for the total of the environments (living and non-living) capable of supporting life. Three biocycles (ocean, freshwater and land) make up the biosphere. They are divided into biochores (e.g. for land the most important are: forest, dry open land, wet open land, high mountain and polar areas). Biochores are divided into biotopes: particular areas which as a group are substantially uniform in their environmental conditions and biota.

Alternative form for biotope : biotopes.