Biome Definition: Classification, Map, Types, Examples, Facts, Examples

A biome is a biogeographical unit made up of a biological community that has developed as a result of its physical surroundings and a common local climate. Various continents may have different biomes. A biome can include several environments because the phrase is more general than habitat. Biomes are important topics in Biology and they carry a weightage of 2-3% in NEET and 4-5% in CBSE and other Paramedical Exams.

Biome Definition

The term "biome" describes the group of plants and animals that coexist naturally in a region and frequently exhibit similar traits unique to that region. A biome often referred to as a major life zone, is a region with populations of plants and animals that have evolved together to survive in that specific environment. Some basic points about biome are discussed below:

• Biomes are determined by factors such as temperature, soil and water.

• These factors influence different types of organisms that can survive there.

• There are different classifications of biomes to understand the relationship between organisms and their environment.

• Three basic types of categorization done for biomes are terrestrial freshwater and Marine biomes.

• This is also decided by dominant geographical features like grasslands deserts and forests.

Read More:

• MCQ Practice on Ecosystem

• Productivity in Ecosystem

• Ecosystem Services

• Biodiversity and Conservation

Terrestrial and Land Biome

The basic difference is discussed below:

Categories Of Terrestrial Biomes

The following are the main categories of terrestrial biomes found worldwide:

• Tundra

• Northern Conifer Forest

• Desert

• Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Rain forest

• Mountains

• Grasslands

• Taiga (Boreal Forest)

• Polar region

• Tropical forest

• Savana

• Mediterranean scrub forest

Aquatic or Aquatic Biome

Water covers roughly 70 to 80 per cent of the entire surface of the world. Aquatic biomes are the world's largest and most diverse biomes. Large and small aquatic animals and plants come in a wide variety of species. Since life first evolved in the waters roughly a billion years ago, marine ecosystems are older than terrestrial habitats, at least according to taxonomic records.

The most stable ecosystems on Earth are those found in aquatic biomes, and without water, most living forms would be unable to survive, leaving the world in a dead, desert-like state.

Types of Questions Asked from Biomes

During exam preparation, different types of questions about the Biomes are asked. The table below contains the different patterns of questions asked in different exams.

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Biomes

It takes effort to remember everything in a single go. We made the entire problem easy. Some of the tricks regarding Biomes are given below which you can use to memorise the important points.

Types of Biomes

"TMF: Terrestrial, Marine, Freshwater"

• T: Terrestrial biomes (e.g., forests, deserts, grasslands)

• M: Marine biomes (e.g., oceans, coral reefs, estuaries)

• F: Freshwater biomes (e.g., lakes, rivers, wetlands)

Characteristics of Biomes

"COST: Climate, Organisms, Soil, Temperature"

• C: Climate (temperature and precipitation patterns)

• O: Organisms (flora and fauna adapted to the biome)

• S: Soil types (nutrient composition and structure)

• T: Temperature ranges (effects on species distribution)

Importance of Biomes

"ECO: Ecosystem Services, Conservation, Oxygen Production"

• E: Ecosystem services (carbon storage, water filtration)

• C: Conservation efforts (protecting biodiversity and habitats)

• O: Oxygen production (role of aquatic plants and forests)

Threats to Biomes

"HIPO: Habitat Loss, Invasive Species, Pollution, Overexploitation"

• H: Habitat loss (urbanization, deforestation)

• I: Invasive species (competition with native species)

• P: Pollution (effects on water and soil quality)

• O: Overexploitation (unsustainable harvesting of resources)

Biome Distribution Factors

"PALT: Precipitation, Altitude, Latitude, Temperature"

• P: Precipitation levels (influence on biome type)

• A: Altitude (effects on climate and vegetation)

• L: Latitude (determines sunlight and temperature)

• T: Temperature variations (affecting species adaptation)

Ecological Roles of Biomes

"FBPS: Food Webs, Biodiversity, Pollination, Shelter"

• F: Food webs (interconnections between organisms)

• B: Biodiversity (importance for ecosystem resilience)

• P: Pollination (role of biomes in supporting pollinators)

• S: Shelter (habitats for various species)

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