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

Other things on this planet are divided into groups and subgroups according to their characteristics. Various scientists have used different methods or schemes to classify all living things to understand the relationship between other organisms. There are many groups, such as the kind of food we eat, the clothes we wear, our gender, and our age. Biomes are one of the topics in Biology and they carry a weightage of 3% in NEET and 2% in CBSE and other Paramedical Exams.

What is a Biome?

A biome can be defined as a significant biological community or an ecosystem where different living organisms, including plants, animals, birds, insects, and humans, are used to living in a specific type of climate.

The world contains many environment types, categorised and grouped into different biomes, primarily based on adaptation, temperature ranges, weather and climate conditions.

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Type of Biomes

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 ones are discussed below:

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.

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.

Major Types of Biomes

"TDAD: Tundra, Desert, Aquatic, Deciduous"

• T: Tundra – Cold, treeless regions with permafrost.

• D: Desert – Arid areas with little rainfall and sparse vegetation.

• A: Aquatic – Water-based ecosystems, including freshwater and marine biomes.

• D: Deciduous Forest – Forests with trees that shed their leaves seasonally.

Characteristics of Biomes

"CART: Climate, Adaptation, Resources, Temperature"

• C: Climate – Each biome has a distinct climate (temperature, rainfall).

• A: Adaptation – Species are adapted to specific conditions in each biome.

• R: Resources – Different biomes provide unique resources (water, food, minerals).

• T: Temperature – Plays a key role in determining the types of organisms that can survive.

Aquatic Biomes

"FEM: Freshwater, Estuaries, Marine"

• F: Freshwater – Includes lakes, rivers, and streams.

• E: Estuaries – Where freshwater meets saltwater; rich in nutrients.

• M: Marine – Oceans, coral reefs, and deep-sea ecosystems.

Factors Affecting Biomes

"LAT: Latitude, Altitude, Temperature"

• L: Latitude – Biomes change with distance from the equator.

• A: Altitude – Higher altitudes have colder climates and different biomes.

• T: Temperature – Warm biomes (like tropical rainforests) vs. cold biomes (like tundra).

Trophic Levels in Biomes

"PPCC: Producers, Primary consumers, Carnivores, Carnivores"

• P: Producers – Plants and algae form the base of the food chain.

• P: Primary Consumers – Herbivores that eat producers.

• C: Carnivores – Eat herbivores (secondary consumers).

• C: Carnivores – Tertiary consumers (apex predators).

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.

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