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A biome is a biogeographical unit composed of a biological community that has evolved in response to its physical surroundings and a typical regional climate. Biomes can exist on many continents, and a biome is a broader phrase than a habitat and can include a wide range of environments.

See the fact file below for more information on biomes or alternatively download our comprehensive worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Facts & Information

Overview

  • A biome is a habitat defined by the species living there, which are also life zones (“bio” means life). 
  • This method of dividing land allows us to discuss comparable areas, even on separate continents. However, the way we split the Earth into biomes varies depending on who you ask. 
  • A biome can include a vast region, but a microbiome is a collection of organisms that dwell in a specific place on a much smaller scale. The human microbiome, for example, is a collection of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes found on or in the human body.
  • A ‘biota’ is a collection of organisms in a specific geographic area or period. From small geographic scales and immediate temporal scales to whole-planet and whole-timescale spatiotemporal scales, there is a scale for everything. The biosphere is made up of Earth’s biotas.

Etymology

  • Clements initially proposed the name in 1916 as a synonym for the Möbius biotic community (1877). 
  • It was subsequently given its current definition, which is based on previous conceptions of phytophysiognomy, formation, and vegetation (as opposed to flora), with the addition of the animal element and the elimination of the taxonomic component of species composition.
  • Tansley expanded the concept to include climatic and soil characteristics in 1935, naming its ecosystem. The International Biological Program initiatives (1964-74) popularized the biome idea. However, the word biome is used differently in other settings.
  • The term is used similarly in German literature as a biotope (a concrete geographical unit), particularly in Walter terminology. 
  • In contrast, the biome meaning used in this article is used as an international, nonregional terminology—regardless of the mainland in which an area is available, it takes the same biome name—and corresponds to his “zone biome,” “microbiome,” and “pedobiome” (biomes determined by climate zone, altitude or soil).
  • In Brazilian literature, the word “biome” is sometimes used as a synonym for the biogeographic province, an area based on species diversity (the term floristic province is used when plant species are considered), or as a synonym for Ab’Sáber’s “morphoclimatic and phytogeographical domain,” a geographical space with subcontinental dimensions, a pervasiveness of similar geomorphologic and climatic characteristics, and a specific vegetation form. In reality, both have a wide range of biomes.

Classification

  • Biome classifications might be broad or limited. When we say forest, we can imagine a calm, peaceful environment with pine trees where animals like bears and rabbits roam. Instead, envision a rainy, gloomy, and loud rainforest filled with monkeys, parrots, and large cats like jaguars. 
  • Some believe that all forest kinds belong to the same group – the forest biome. Others, however, believe temperate forests with pine trees differ substantially from tropical rainforests with deep, leafy canopies and loads of rain. 
  • Because of this disagreement of opinion, the number of biomes might range from 5 to 20.
  • When we look closely at these temperate and rain forests, we can observe that they vary significantly in terms of rainfall and temperature. Tropical rainforests are hot and do not have a cold season. 
  • On the other hand, softwoods have a distinct winter, with snow and temperatures below zero. Because of the chilly temperatures, plants and animals in temperate rainforests must have cold weather adaptations. 
  • Do you think those tribes are distinct enough to warrant their biome? This categorization approach is convenient and sometimes only depends on why the groups are divided.

Biomes of the World

  • We split the planet into only nine biomes to offer you a subtle flavor of the wide variety of settings available. Remember that these groupings can be further subdivided into roughly 20 biomes. 
  • There are various temperatures and weather conditions inside each of these biomes. We also find creatures suited to only a portion of the biome and others adapted to the entire range of circumstances within the borders we are establishing.

Tropical Rainforest

  • You probably see tropical rainforests as a jungle where it is always warm. There are much too many creatures to list, and a large proportion of trees retain their leaves all year. 
  • Many of these woods receive so much rain that there isn’t much of a dry season; instead, there is a rainy and rainier season.

Temperate Forest

  • It is the type of forest where the seasons differ. Numerous trees drop their leaves in the fall and remain dormant throughout the harsh winter. 
  • Deer, woodpeckers, and bears, some of which slumber throughout the winter, may be found in these woodlands.

Desert

  • Deserts are some of the most hostile regions on the planet, yet despite the harsh, arid climate, certain organisms have managed to survive. 
  • Deserts are the warmest biome. However, significantly also freezing in the winter. 
  • Becaustic temperature changes and many creatures must dig below to reach more stable temperatures to survive. 
  • Plants and animals in this area must be able to go for extended periods without water.

Tundra

  • Tundra is flat and frigid, with low flora such as grass and moss that thrive only during the brief summer. 
  • All year, a thick layer of ice (permafrost) rests just beneath the thin soil, and trees cannot penetrate it to establish their roots. 
  • Many birds visit the tundra to nest in the summer, but most migrate to warmer places in the winter. 
  • Mice and other tiny animals hibernate in snow-covered tunnels throughout the winter.

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

  • Taiga is the world’s biggest terrestrial (land) biome, mainly made up of conical-shaped evergreen trees with needle-like leaves. These trees are conifers because their seeds are clumped together in cones. 
  • Winters in the taiga are prolonged and severe, causing most animals to hibernate and birds to migrate or abandon the region since it is too cold for them to stay. 
  • Animals that do not migrate or hibernate, such as weasels, grouse, and rabbits, develop thick feathers or fur and become white to match the snow.

Grassland

  • Grasslands, often known as plains or prairies, are nearly exclusively composed of short to tall grasses with no trees. 
  • This terrain type receives just enough moisture to encourage the growth of grasses, flowers, and herbs, but it remains dry enough that fires are common and trees cannot live. 
  • Big animals may be found here and frequently move in large herds.

Savanna

  • These tree-studded grasslands acquire adequate yearly rainfall to allow trees to flourish in open groups or individually. 
  • The animals here have long legs to escape predators and are generally spotted in groups. The savannah relies on a combination of fire and grazing animals to survive.

Freshwater

  • The low salt content in the water inspired the name of this aquatic biome. Most ponds, streams, lakes, and rivers fall into this category. 
  • Because salt is essential for biological function, the plants and animals here have several adaptations that aid in salt conservation.

Marine

  • This water biome is the world’s most enormous, containing the five significant oceans encompassing 70% of the Earth. 
  • Because salt levels in marine water are high, animals and plants have adaptations that help them get rid of salt or absorb moisture.

Effects of Climate Change

  • Climate change can potentially affect the distribution of Earth’s biomes significantly. That is, biomes throughout the planet might shift so drastically that they could become new biomes. 
  • General frequency models have long been used to predict the effects of climate change on biomes. Climates that correlate to other biomes will be experienced by 54% and 22% of the global land area, respectively. 
  • Climates that are wholly new or strange will be experienced by 3.6% of the land area. Average temperatures have risen more than twice as much in the arctic and mountainous biomes, implying that the icy and mountainous biomes are now the most sensitive to climate change.
  • The current theories as to why this is the case revolve around the fact that colder settings tend to reflect more sunlight due to the snow and ice covering the ground. Ice and snow are melting as annual average temperatures rise. 
  • As a result, albedo decreases. Maintaining an eye on terrestrial biomes is essential since they play a vital role in climate regulation. 
  • South American terrestrial biomes are expected to follow the same temperature patterns as arctic and mountainous biomes. As the yearly average temperature rises, the moisture now found in forest biomes will evaporate.

Anthropogenic Biomes

  • Humans have impacted global biodiversity patterns and environmental processes. As a result, traditional biome systems’ anticipated vegetation shapes can no longer be seen throughout most of the Earth’s land surface, as they have been replaced by agricultural and rangelands or cities. 
  • Anthropogenic biomes offer a different perspective on the terrestrial biosphere based on worldwide patterns of prolonged direct human involvement with ecosystems, such as agriculture, human settlements, urbanization, forestry, and other land uses. 
  • Anthropogenic biomes provide a means of recognizing the irreversible linkage of human and ecological systems at global scales and managing Earth’s biosphere and anthropogenic biomes.

Biome Worksheets

This bundle contains 11 ready-to-use Biome worksheets that are perfect for students who want to learn more about a biome which is a major regional group of distinctive plant and animal communities best adapted to the region’s physical natural environment, latitude, elevation, and terrain.

Download includes the following worksheets:

  • Biome Facts.
  • Iconic.
  • Biome Word Cuts.
  • The Earthy Truth.
  • B. I. O. M. E.
  • Natural Drawing.
  • What Biome?
  • Filling Boxes with Biomes.
  • Photo Album.
  • I’m Sorry.
  • Captain Planet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a biome?

A biome is a biogeographical unit composed of a biological community that has evolved in response to its physical surroundings and a typical regional climate. Biomes can exist on many continents.

Who coined the term biome?

Clements initially proposed the name in 1916 as a synonym for the Möbius biotic community (1877). 

Are biome and habitat the same?

Biome is a broader phrase than habitat and can include many environments.

What is the most inhospitable biome?

Deserts are some of the most hostile regions on the planet, yet despite the harsh, arid climate, certain organisms have managed to survive. 

How can climate change affect biomes?

Climate change can potentially affect the distribution of Earth’s biomes significantly. That is, biomes throughout the planet might shift so drastically that they could become new biomes.

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Link will appear as Biome Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 24, 2017

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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