Biomes of the World - Definition, Map, Types, Examples and Facts

Q: What are the benefits Of Biomes?

Benefits Of Biomes: Regulating the climate : 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. Providing homes for wildlife : Biomes are home to various plants and animals. Each biome has its flora and fauna that have adapted to the climate and other conditions of that biome. Purifying the air and water : Biomes also play an important role in purifying air and water. 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. Providing food, fuel, medicines and building materials: Biomes offer many of the things we need to live. For example, forests provide us with wood for fuel and building materials.

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

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:29 PM IST

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.

This Story also Contains

What are the Biomes of the World?
Biomes of the World Types
Terrestrial Biome
Aquatic Biome
Biome Characteristics

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:

Biomes	Features
Tundra	Characterized by extremely cold temperatures, permafrost, and a short growing season. Vegetation includes mosses, lichens, and low-growing shrubs, adapted to survive the harsh conditions. Animals include caribou, reindeer, arctic foxes, and migratory birds such as snow geese.
Taiga/Boreal Forest	Characterized by cold winters and short summers, coniferous trees such as spruce, fir, and pine dominate the landscape. Animals include moose, bears, lynx, and migratory birds such as the common loon.
Temperate Forests	Characterized by moderate climates with distinct seasons, and deciduous trees such as oak, maple, and beech. Animals include deer, bears, raccoons, and a variety of bird species.
Grasslands	Characterized by vast expanses of grass, with varying climates and grass types, including savannas, prairies, and steppes. Animals include large herbivores such as bison, zebras, and antelope, as well as predators such as lions and wolves.
Deserts	Characterized by low rainfall and extreme temperatures, with sparse vegetation and adapted animals, such as camels and reptiles. Vegetation includes cacti, succulents, and other drought-resistant plants. Animals include desert rodents, snakes, lizards, and birds such as roadrunners.
Tropical Rainforests	Found in equatorial regions, with high rainfall and temperatures, dense vegetation, and diverse animal life. Vegetation includes a variety of trees and epiphytes. Animals include monkeys, sloths, toucans, and a vast array of insects, birds, and other animals.

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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. 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 particular 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.

2. What are the Biome Characteristics?

3. What are the benefits Of Biomes?

Benefits Of Biomes:

Regulating the climate: 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.
Providing homes for wildlife: Biomes are home to various plants and animals. Each biome has its flora and fauna that have adapted to the climate and other conditions of that biome.
Purifying the air and water: Biomes also play an important role in purifying air and water. 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.
Providing food, fuel, medicines and building materials: Biomes offer many of the things we need to live. For example, forests provide us with wood for fuel and building materials.

4. How many types of Biomes?

Biomes are often grouped into six categories:

Forests
Grasslands
Deserts
Tundra
Freshwater

5. What are the Biomes of the world?

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.

6. How do biomes contribute to global climate regulation?

Biomes play a vital role in regulating global climate through various processes:

7. Why are ecotones important, and how do they relate to biomes?

Ecotones are transition zones between two different biomes or ecosystems. They are important because:

8. How do human activities impact biome distribution and health?

Human activities significantly affect biomes through:

9. What is the relationship between biodiversity and biome stability?

Biodiversity generally enhances biome stability through:

10. What is the concept of biome succession, and how does it occur?

Biome succession refers to the gradual change in plant and animal communities over time in response to changing environmental conditions. It can occur on two scales:

11. What is a biome and how does it differ from an ecosystem?

A biome is a large geographical area characterized by distinct plant and animal species adapted to a specific climate. While an ecosystem refers to the interactions between living organisms and their environment in a particular area, a biome encompasses multiple ecosystems with similar climatic conditions and dominant plant life. Biomes are broader in scale and typically span across continents.

12. How do abiotic factors influence the distribution of biomes?

Abiotic factors, such as temperature, precipitation, soil type, and sunlight, play a crucial role in determining the distribution of biomes. These non-living components shape the environment and influence which plant and animal species can survive in a particular area. For example, the amount of rainfall and temperature patterns largely determine whether an area will be a desert, grassland, or forest biome.

13. Why are there different types of forest biomes, and what distinguishes them?

Different forest biomes exist due to variations in climate, particularly temperature and precipitation. The main types are tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and boreal forests (taiga). Tropical rainforests are characterized by high temperatures and rainfall year-round, supporting diverse plant and animal life. Temperate forests have distinct seasons and a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. Boreal forests, found in colder regions, are dominated by coniferous trees adapted to long, harsh winters.

14. How do plants in desert biomes adapt to survive in extreme conditions?

Plants in desert biomes have evolved various adaptations to cope with extreme heat and scarcity of water. These include:

15. What role do keystone species play in maintaining biome stability?

Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their biome relative to their abundance. They play a crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of the ecosystem. For example, beavers in temperate forest biomes create wetlands that support diverse plant and animal communities. The removal of a keystone species can lead to significant changes in the biome's biodiversity and ecological processes.

16. What are biome "analogs," and why are they important in understanding climate change impacts?

Biome analogs are regions that currently have climate conditions similar to what is predicted for a different area in the future due to climate change. They are important because:

17. How do fire regimes differ among biomes, and why are they important?

Fire regimes vary among biomes based on climate, vegetation type, and natural ignition sources. For example:

18. What is the importance of soil microbiomes in different biomes?

Soil microbiomes, consisting of diverse microorganisms, play crucial roles in biome health:

19. How do seasonal changes affect different biomes, and what adaptations have organisms developed?

Seasonal changes vary greatly among biomes:

20. How do biomes influence soil formation and characteristics?

Biomes significantly affect soil formation and characteristics through:

21. What are "urban biomes," and how do they compare to natural biomes?

Urban biomes are ecosystems created and maintained by human activities in cities. They differ from natural biomes in several ways:

22. How do aquatic biomes differ from terrestrial biomes in terms of environmental factors and adaptations?

Aquatic biomes differ from terrestrial biomes in several key ways:

23. How do energy flow and nutrient cycling differ among biomes?

Energy flow and nutrient cycling vary among biomes based on factors like primary productivity, decomposition rates, and climate:

24. What is the concept of "biome shifts," and how does it relate to climate change?

Biome shifts refer to the geographical movement or change in composition of biomes due to changing environmental conditions, particularly climate change. As temperatures and precipitation patterns change, the conditions that define a particular biome may shift to new areas. This can result in:

25. How do invasive species affect biome dynamics, and why are some biomes more susceptible to invasions?

Invasive species can significantly alter biome dynamics by:

26. What is the relationship between biomes and global biogeochemical cycles?

Biomes play a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles:

27. How do biomes influence human cultural diversity and development?

Biomes have profoundly shaped human cultures and development:

28. How do biomes affect global patterns of disease transmission?

Biomes influence disease transmission through:

29. What is the concept of "biome resilience," and why is it important in the context of global change?

Biome resilience refers to the ability of a biome to maintain its core structure and functions in the face of disturbances or environmental changes. It's important because:

30. How do biomes influence atmospheric circulation patterns?

Biomes affect atmospheric circulation through:

31. What are "biome engineers," and how do they shape their environments?

Biome engineers are species that significantly modify their environment, creating or maintaining habitats for other species. Examples include:

32. How do biomes influence the evolution of species?

Biomes shape species evolution through:

33. What is the concept of "biome connectivity," and why is it important for conservation?

Biome connectivity refers to the degree to which different areas within or between biomes are linked, allowing for the movement of species, genes, and ecological processes. It's important for conservation because:

34. How do biomes affect global energy balance and climate regulation?

Biomes play a crucial role in global energy balance and climate regulation through:

35. What are "ecophysiological adaptations," and how do they vary among biomes?

Ecophysiological adaptations are the functional characteristics that allow organisms to survive and thrive in specific environmental conditions. These adaptations vary among biomes:

36. What is the concept of "biome-based conservation," and how does it differ from species-focused approaches?

Biome-based conservation is an approach that focuses on protecting entire ecological communities and processes rather than individual species. It differs from species-focused approaches in several ways:

37. How do biomes influence the global distribution of biomass and primary productivity?

Biomes significantly affect the distribution of biomass and primary productivity globally: