Biomes of the World: Definition, Map, Types, Examples, & Facts

Biomes of the world refer to large ecological areas covering different parts of the Earth. Major biomes are deserts, forests, grasslands, tundras, and aquatic regions. All of them hold specific types of life which have well adapted to their respective surrounding environments. The topic is from the class 12 chapter Ecosystem in Biology.

What are the Biomes of the World?

A biome is a large ecological area on Earth where plants, animals, and other organisms live in a specific type of climate and environment. Each biome, including deserts, forests, grasslands, and aquatic regions, has special features and life forms designed to their conditions, such as temperature, rainfall, and soil type. Biomes help classify Earth's biodiversity and where different environments support different species and ecological interactions.

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Biomes of the World Types

There are different types of biome present in the world. Each one of them have their own has its importance and contribution in balancing the environment. The major types and biomes of the world facts are discussed below:

Terrestrial Biome

A terrestrial biome is a soil-based ecosystem with specific climates and features, including the form of vegetation, animals, and other organisms adjusted to those conditions. Examples include forests, deserts, grasslands, and tundra. All biomes are different, for example, deserts are warm and dry and consist of plants such as cacti, while forests are covered with very dense trees that support both wide-ranging animals and flora. These biomes are also highly dependent on climatic conditions. That is to say that the impacts of temperature and precipitation on their types of life will be directly affected by those climatic conditions. Terrestrial biomes are important components, functioning in Earth's climate regulation, and carbon cycles, and providing supportive diverse ecosystems.

Aquatic Biome

An aquatic biome is a water-based ecosystem, which comprises freshwater environments such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands, as well as marine environments like oceans and coral reefs. Aquatic biomes sustain diverse forms of life according to different water conditions-from fish and algae to coral and plankton. The organisms that survive in the water are affected by factors such as salinity, depth, and flow. Oceans are the biggest aquatic biomes, and they play a role in regulating the climate, oxygen production, and nutrient cycles. Aquatic biomes are significant to Earth's biodiversity. It means habitats for many species and support systems for global ecosystems.

Biome Characteristics

A biome is usually simply a large environment characterised by several abiotic factors (e.g. temperature, rainfall, pH, light intensity, etc.) and biotic factors. There are many ways to classify biomes. One depends on the climate: hot, dry, cold, rainy or humid. Biomes are formed due to the physical environment affecting soil, rainfall, and wildlife.

Benefits of Biomes

Biomes have many benefits. For example, they can help regulate the climate, create homes for wildlife, and purify the air and water. Biomes also help humans in many ways. They provide us with food, fuel, medicines and building materials. Biomes are also crucial for tourism and recreation.

• Biomes are essential in regulating the Earth's climate. They do this by exchanging water and energy with the atmosphere.

• Forests, for example, help regulate the environment by evaporating water from leaves to cool the surrounding air.

• Each biome has its flora and fauna that have adapted to the climate and other conditions of that biome.

• Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air. It also helps filter out pollutants in the air. Wetlands also act as natural filters, purifying running water.

• Biomes offer many of the things we need to live. For example, forests provide us with wood for fuel and building materials.

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