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GCSE Geography · key term
A large-scale ecosystem characterised by its climate and typical vegetation.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 3.1.2.1 · Paper 1
A large-scale ecosystem characterised by its climate and dominant vegetation, such as tropical rainforest or coniferous forest.
Revise: Global Distribution and Characteristics of EcosystemsA large-scale ecosystem is called a biome. Biomes are usually named after their dominant vegetation, such as grassland or coniferous forest. Their climate influences which plants can grow; the vegetation then provides habitats and food for animals.
Specification 3.1 · Paper 1
Biome boundaries are approximate: latitude is important, but altitude, distance from the sea and relief also affect distribution.
For a distribution question, describe the pattern using latitude, hemispheres and named continents or countries, rather than simply listing biomes.
Read the map key carefully. Colours are not standard across all biome maps.
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A large-scale ecosystem characterised by its climate and typical vegetation and wildlife.
A biome is a large-scale ecosystem with a characteristic climate, vegetation and wildlife. Tropical forests, temperate forests, boreal forests, tropical and temperate grasslands, deserts and tundra are the main groups considered here. Their distribution means where they are found across the world.
Paper 3
A very large ecosystem characterised by its climate, vegetation and animal life.
Revise: Global Biome Distribution, Climate and IdentificationA biome is a very large ecosystem with characteristic vegetation and animal life. Tropical forests, grasslands and tundra are different biomes because their environmental conditions support different kinds of living things.
Specification 4.1a · Paper 1, Paper 3
A large-scale ecosystem type characterised by its climate and characteristic vegetation and animals.
Revise: Ecosystem Concepts and DistributionA large-scale ecosystem type is called a biome.