Factors Affecting Biomes on The Earth

A biome, also known as a major life zone, is a geographical area that contains communities of plants and animals that have adapted to the same environment. Frederick Clements‘ opening talk at the first meeting of the Ecological Society of America in 1916 gave birth to the word biome.

Biome is the largest geographic biological unit, containing a variety of communities termed after the region’s major features, such as grasslands, deserts, or forests.
Temperature, soil, and water are all factors that help us determine the type of life that exists in a biome.
On the planet, we can find three types of biomes: terrestrial, freshwater, and marine biomes.

The dominant plant life defines most terrestrial biomes. Many factors, including latitude and geography, control the climate in a region, which in turn determines the plant life in that area.
Environmental conditions determine the distribution of biomes, as they must be suitable to support the dominant species in an area. Moisture and temperature are usually the most important environmental influences on the distribution of terrestrial biomes.

Factors Affecting Biomes

A biome’s size, location, and nature are influenced by a number of things. The following are important factors to consider:
- Length of day and night: This is mostly responsible for the photosynthetic duration.
- Daylight and darkness duration.
- The average temperature as well as the temperature difference (both diurnal and yearly).
- The duration of the growing season.
- Precipitation comprises the total amount, as well as fluctuations in time and severity.
- The speed, direction, duration, and frequency of wind.
- Other plant and animal species
- Soil types
- Slope
- Drainage

Significance of Biomes

The animals and plants with which we will interact are determined by the biome in which we reside.
The resources we can use to build with, the foods we can find, cultivate, and hunt for, the clothing we need to wear, and so on are all influenced by the biome we live in.
When individuals in a biome have the ability to grow their own food and have access to nutritious, safe, and sufficient food to live a fit and healthy life, we consider the region to be food secure.
Water catchments, biodiversity reserves, cultural and recreational demands, and maybe a carbon sink to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are all significant services and roles provided by biomes.

Frequently Asked Questions factors related to affecting biomes::

Ques 1. How does climate influence the formation of biomes?

Ans. Climate plays a crucial role in determining the distribution of biomes. Factors such as temperature, precipitation, and seasonal variations shape the types of plants and animals that can survive in a particular region. For example, Tropical rainforests thrive in areas with high temperatures and abundant rainfall, while regions with low precipitation and high temperatures are where deserts are found.

Ques 2. What role does topography play in determining biome distribution?

Ans. Topography, which refers to the physical features of the land such as mountains, valleys, and slopes, can influence the distribution of biomes. It affects factors like temperature, sunlight exposure, and water flow, which in turn impact the types of plants and animals that can inhabit an area. For instance, mountains can create different climatic conditions on their windward and leeward sides, leading to the formation of distinct biomes.

Ques 3. How do human activities impact biomes?

Ans. Human activities can significantly alter biomes through deforestation, urbanization, pollution, and climate change. Deforestation, for example, can lead to the conversion of forest biomes into agricultural or urban areas, resulting in habitat loss and biodiversity decline. Pollution and climate change can disrupt ecosystem dynamics, affecting the availability of resources and the ability of organisms to survive in their respective biomes.

Factors Affecting Biomes on The Earth,Factors Affecting Biomes on The Earth