{"id":16058,"date":"2025-08-29T09:37:21","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T04:07:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=16058"},"modified":"2025-08-29T12:30:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T07:00:06","slug":"biomes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biomes\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Biomes, Definition, Classification, Types, Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biomes are vast ecological regions defined by climate, vegetation, and organism adaptations. Their distribution is shaped by factors such as temperature, precipitation, soil, and biological interactions. Classification varies, with models like Whittaker\u2019s temperature-precipitation approach and Walter\u2019s seasonal system highlighting how climate influences global biome patterns and ecosystem resilience.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Broadly grouped as terrestrial and aquatic, biomes include rainforests, deserts, tundras, grasslands, and marine systems. Each has unique vegetation, wildlife, and climatic features, from lush equatorial forests to polar sparsity. In today\u2019s climate crisis, biomes are vital for biodiversity, carbon balance, and human sustenance, but face threats from deforestation, warming, and exploitation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biomes Definition<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biomes are vast geographical regions that represent the Earth\u2019s major ecological communities. They are classified primarily on the basis of dominant vegetation and the adaptive features of organisms suited to specific environmental conditions. Key determining factors include:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Plant structures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Presence of trees, shrubs, or grasses.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Leaf types:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Broadleaf, needleleaf, or other variations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Plant spacing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Distribution patterns such as forest, woodland, or savanna.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climatic conditions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Temperature, rainfall, and seasonal variations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biomes differ globally due to latitude, humidity, sunlight, and topography, supporting unique species. In 2025, amid biodiversity crises, biomes like rainforests are critical for carbon sequestration, as noted in recent IPCC reports.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Factors Influencing Biomes<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biomes' distribution, size, and characteristics are governed by interconnected abiotic and biotic elements, creating varied habitats from equatorial lushness to polar sparsity. These factors dictate energy flows, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/nitrogen-cycle\/\" target=\"_blank\">nutrient cycles<\/a><\/strong>, and species resilience.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Daylight and Darkness Duration<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Controls photosynthesis length, vital for plant productivity and food web sustenance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Temperature Metrics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Encompass average values and variations (daily and yearly) to gauge harsh conditions that challenge survival.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Growing Season Extent<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Influences vegetation development periods, from perpetual in equatorials to fleeting in polars.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Precipitation Dynamics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Cover total volume, temporal fluctuations, and strength, determining water availability for flora.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Wind Patterns<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Involve velocity, orientation, persistence, and occurrence, affecting erosion, dispersal, and moisture loss.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Soil Varieties<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Nutrient profiles and compositions impact root systems and microbial ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Slope and Drainage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Topographical inclines and water runoff shape microhabitats and erosion rates.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Biological Interactions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Coexistence with other species fosters competition, symbiosis, or predation, moulding community structures.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-16059\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/08\/Biomes-Pyramid.webp\" alt=\"Biomes Pyramid\" width=\"471\" height=\"437\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biomes Classification\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biome classification lacks a universal standard, reflecting diverse scientific perspectives. Some adopt broad classifications that identify as few as five biomes (forest, grassland, freshwater, marine, and desert), while others employ more precise systems listing dozens, including subtypes such as temperate deciduous or tropical savanna. This variability stems from the complexity of environmental factors and the need to balance simplicity with ecological specificity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Two prominent classification approaches are widely recognised:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Whittaker\u2019s Model:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Developed by Robert Whittaker in 1975, this model utilises a two-dimensional diagram that plots mean annual temperature against annual precipitation. It illustrates transitions between biomes, such as high precipitation and warm temperatures favouring tropical rainforests, while low values lead to deserts or tundras. This quantitative approach helps map global biome distributions effectively.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Walter\u2019s System:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Proposed by Heinrich Walter, this method emphasises seasonality and environmental stress factors like drought and cold. It delineates nine biome types based on seasonal temperature and moisture regimes, offering a dynamic view of how seasonal changes influence vegetation and fauna.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-16069\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/08\/unnamed-6.png\" alt=\"Whittaker\u2019s Classification of Biomes\" width=\"461\" height=\"376\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Types of Biomes<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biomes are broadly grouped into terrestrial (land-based) and aquatic (water-based) categories, with terrestrial biomes further divided into tropical, temperate, and tundra zones. Each type exhibits unique characteristics, influenced by factors like temperature, precipitation, soil, and elevation, as detailed below.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Terrestrial Biomes<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Terrestrial biomes occupy land areas, shaped by climate and vegetation, and are subdivided into several types based on dominant plant life and environmental adaptations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tropical Biomes<\/span><\/h4>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tropical biomes thrive near the equator, characterised by high temperatures, abundant rainfall, and rich biodiversity. They include several distinct subtypes:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tropical Evergreen Rainforests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Extends up to 10\u00b0 latitude on both sides of the equator, covering the Amazon lowlands (South America), Congo Basin (Africa), and Southeast Asian islands (Sumatra to New Guinea), as mapped in \"Major Biomes of the World.\"<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Experiences high temperatures (20-30\u00b0C) with a minimal annual range but a higher daily range. Annual rainfall ranges from 150-250 cm, often distributed throughout the year with daily afternoon showers due to high water vapour, creating an equable climate.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Features three levels\u2014canopy (20-50 m, hardwoods like ebony, mahogany, rosewood, sandalwood), intermediary (10-20 m, palms, epiphytes), and understory (0-10 m, orchids, ferns, mosses). Dense foliage limits sunlight, reducing undergrowth diversity.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Leaf litter here decomposes rapidly, leaving the forest floor almost bare, while climbers and epiphytes thrive by growing upwards to reach sunlight.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Hosts numerous birds (macaws, toucans), mammals (jaguars, sloths, orangutans), and aquatic species (alligators, hippos). Most life is arboreal, avoiding the dense lower levels.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: It represents only 13% of global land but accounts for 40% of total productivity, as noted in \"Major Biomes of the World.\" Current threats include deforestation, which impacts carbon storage.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tropical Deciduous Forests (Monsoon Forests)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Found in regions with pronounced wet and dry seasons, such as India, Southeast Asia, and Central America, as shown in the map from \"Major Biomes of the World.\"<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Experiences seasonal rainfall (100-200 cm), with trees shedding leaves during the dry period.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Includes teak, sal, and other deciduous trees arranged in four layers, with less dense undergrowth than evergreens. Trees shed leaves in the dry season to conserve water. Teak is especially dominant in India\u2019s tropical moist deciduous forests.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Supports elephants, tigers, and deer, adapted to seasonal changes.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Vulnerable to agricultural expansion and fires, with notable human impact in India\u2019s sal forests.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Savanna Biome<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Predominantly in Africa (e.g., Serengeti), South America, and northern Australia.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Hot with seasonal rainfall (50-150 cm), marked by wet and dry periods.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Dominated by tall grasses with scattered acacia or baobab trees. Forest development here is checked by seasonal rainfall, frequent fires, and grazing by large herbivores.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Rich in large mammals (lions, elephants, giraffes) and migratory species, as highlighted in \"Biomes.\"<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: A prime grassland example, facing poaching and land conversion threats. Savannas are less rich in biodiversity compared to tropical moist forests, which host the greatest variety of plant and animal life.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Desert Biome<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Tropical deserts like the Sahara (Africa) and the Arabian Peninsula.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Arid (&lt;25 cm rainfall), with extreme temperature variations (hot days, cold nights).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Sparse xerophytes (cacti, succulents) with adaptations for water conservation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Nocturnal species (camels, lizards) with minimal diversity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Represents arid extremes, with expanding desertification a global concern.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Temperate Biomes<\/span><\/h4>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Temperate biomes occur in mid-latitudes, featuring moderate temperatures and distinct seasons, supporting diverse vegetation and wildlife:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Temperate Deciduous Forests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: North America (e.g., Great Smoky Mountains), Western Europe (e.g., British Isles).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Moderate (0-20\u00b0C), with 75-150 cm annual rainfall and four seasons.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Deciduous trees (oak, maple) that shed leaves in fall, with fertile brown soils.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Deer, bears, and squirrels, thriving in seasonal cycles.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: High biodiversity, threatened by invasive species like the emerald ash borer.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Temperate Evergreen Forests (Coniferous\/Taiga)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Subarctic regions (Canada, Russia).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Cold winters (-30\u00b0C), short summers (10-20\u00b0C), with 30-80 cm precipitation, mostly snow.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Coniferous trees (spruce, fir) on poor podzol soils due to slow decomposition.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Moose, wolves, adapted to cold with thick fur.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Low productivity, with permafrost thaw releasing methane, a climate concern.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Temperate Rainforests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Pacific Northwest (USA), parts of Chile.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Mild, wet winters with 200-400 cm rainfall.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Tall evergreens (Douglas fir), mosses, lichens.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Grizzly bears, salamanders.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Carbon sinks, vulnerable to logging.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Temperate Grasslands (Steppe)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Eurasia (steppes), North America (prairies).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Hot summers, cold winters, 25-75 cm rainfall.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Short grasses, fertile chernozem soils.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Bison, prairie dogs.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Agricultural \"granaries\" are prone to erosion from overfarming.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mediterranean Biome (Chaparral)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Mediterranean Basin, California, Chile.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Hot, dry summers; mild, wet winters (40-100 cm rainfall).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Shrubs (olive, lavender) with waxy leaves, fire-adapted.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Coyotes, geckos.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Increasing wildfires due to climate drying.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tundra Biomes<\/span><\/h4>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tundra biomes dominate high-latitude and altitude regions, marked by extreme cold and limited vegetation:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Arctic Tundra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Northern Russia, Canada, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/greenland\/\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Extremely cold (-30\u00b0C to 10\u00b0C), with &lt;25 cm precipitation, mostly snow; permafrost persists.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Mosses, lichens, sparse grasses on bare rocks.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Reindeer, arctic foxes, polar bears, with long lifespans (e.g., arctic willow 150-300 years) and thick fur adaptations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Warming causes permafrost melt, releasing methane, amplifying climate change.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Alpine Tundra<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: High mountain ranges (Himalayas, Alps).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Cold due to elevation, with similar precipitation patterns.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Similar to arctic, with no trees above the treeline.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Animal Life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Mountain goats, pikas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Mimics arctic conditions, vulnerable to glacial retreat.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-16061\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/08\/Land-Biomes.webp\" alt=\"Land Biomes\" width=\"611\" height=\"293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/08\/Land-Biomes.webp 868w, https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/08\/Land-Biomes-768x368.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 611px) 100vw, 611px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aquatic Biomes<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aquatic biomes encompass water-based <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ecosystem\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>ecosystem<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, covering a significant portion of the Earth\u2019s surface. They are classified into freshwater and marine biomes, each adapted to specific moisture and salinity conditions that shape their biodiversity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Freshwater Biomes<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Freshwater biomes include ecosystems with low salinity levels, such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands. These biomes are characterised by their dependence on precipitation and runoff, supporting unique flora and fauna adapted to minimal salt content.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Environmental Conditions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Defined by available moisture and temperature, with limited salinity (&lt;0.05%). Latitude, weather, relative humidity, sunlight, and topography influence their distribution.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation and Fauna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Support plants like water lilies and animals such as fish and amphibians, thriving in still (lentic) or flowing (lotic) waters.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Freshwater biomes are critical for human water supply and biodiversity, though they differ from terrestrial biomes by their aquatic nature. They form part of larger biome systems, interacting with terrestrial ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Marine Biomes<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Marine biomes consist of saltwater <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/environment\/\" target=\"_blank\">environment<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>,<\/strong> including oceans and coastal zones, characterised by high salinity and vast biodiversity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Environmental Conditions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Influenced by moisture and temperature, with salinity typically exceeding 3.5%. They span various latitudes and topographies, from shallow coastal areas to deep oceans.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vegetation and Fauna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Host marine plants like seaweed and diverse animals, including fish, corals, and marine mammals, are adapted to saline conditions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Marine biomes are distinct from freshwater biomes due to their salt content and cover a larger global area, playing a key role in global oxygen production and carbon cycling. They are integral to the broader biome classification.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some regions, such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, are unique for hosting <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/mangroves\/\" target=\"_blank\">mangrove<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> forests alongside evergreen and deciduous forests, creating highly diverse ecological zones.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biomes UPSC PYQs<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Question 1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The vegetation of savannah consists of grasses with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2021)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Burrowing animals and termites<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fire<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Grazing herbivores<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Seasonal rainfall<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Soil properties<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Select the correct answer using the codes given below:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) 1 and 2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) 4 and 5<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) 2, 3 and 4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) 1, 3 and 5<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Answer: (c)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Question 2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 \u201cLeaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result, the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees.\u201d This is most likely the description of: <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2021)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) Coniferous forest<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) Dry deciduous forest<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c)\u00a0 Mangrove forest<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) Tropical rainforest<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Answer: (d)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Question 3:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The greatest diversity in plants and animals is characteristic of: <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2016, 1994)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) Temperate deciduous forests<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) Tropical moist forests<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) Savanna<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) Temperate forest with grasslands<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Answer: (b)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Question 4:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species?\u00a0 <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2015)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) Tropical moist deciduous forest<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) Tropical rainforest<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) Tropical thorn scrub forest<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) Temperate forest with grasslands<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Answer: (a)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Question 5:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Consider the following states:<\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2015)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(1) Arunachal Pradesh<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(2) Himachal Pradesh<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(3) Mizoram<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In which of the above states do \u2018Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests\u2019 occur?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) 1 only<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) 2 and 3 only<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) 1 and 3 only<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Answer: (c)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Question 6:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest, and deciduous forest? <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2015)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) South-West Bengal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) Southern Saurashtra<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\r\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Answer: (d)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 125px\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Other Related Posts<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ecological-pyramid\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ecological Pyramid<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ecological-succession\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ecological Succession<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biomagnification-and-bioaccumulation\/\" target=\"_blank\">Biomagnification and Bioaccumulation<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biomes\/\" target=\"_blank\">Major Biomes<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/carbon-cycle\/\" target=\"_blank\">Carbon Cycle<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/energy-flow-in-ecosystem\/\" target=\"_blank\">Energy Flow in Ecosystem<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/nitrogen-cycle\/\" target=\"_blank\">Nitrogen Cycle<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/hydrological-cycle\/\" target=\"_blank\">Hydrological Cycle<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Biomes are large ecological regions shaped by temperature, precipitation, soil, and biological interactions. Know about Major Biomes, Definition, Classification, Types.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":16060,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[1508],"class_list":{"0":"post-16058","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-quest-level-3","8":"tag-biomes"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16058\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}