An animal and plant community is also known as a biome. A biome is a large, naturally occurring community of flora and fauna that occupies a major habitat, such as a desert, grassland, or tundra. Biomes are characterized by their climate, soil type, and the types of plants and animals that live in them. They are also affected by the amount of precipitation they receive and the temperature range they experience. Biomes are an important part of the Earth's ecosystem and provide habitats for many species of plants and animals.