The W.G.A. is categorizing regions for wilderness guide specializations based on the Walter Biome classification system.
![](https://wildernessguidesassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/biomes-1024x518.png)
While more defined classifications are available, we feel that the following is sufficient for our purposes.
Boreal / Nemoral
Walter VIII: Boreal
- Cold temperate with cool summers and long winters
- Evergreen, frost-hardy, needle-leaved forest (taiga)
Walter VI: Nemoral
- Moderate climate with winter freezing
- Frost-resistant, deciduous, temperate forest
Arctic
Walter IX: Polar
- Very short, cool summers and long, very cold winters
- Low, evergreen vegetation, without trees, growing over permanently frozen soils
Tropical / Jungle
Walter I: Equatorial
- Always moist and lacking temperature seasonality
- Evergreen tropical rain forest
Walter II: Tropical
- Summer rainy season and cooler “winter” dry season
- Seasonal forest, scrub, or savanna
Desert
Walter VII: Continental
- Arid, with warm or hot summers and cold winters
- Grasslands and temperate deserts
Walter III: Subtropical
- Highly seasonal, arid climate
- Desert vegetation with considerable exposed surface