Maharashtra Board Class 11 Geography Chapter 8 Biomes PDF Download

Biomes

Let's Recall

Look at the fig. 8.1. Answer the following questions:

1) What does the figure show?

2) What do the numbers on the figure represent?

3) How does latitude influence the vegetation?

4) How does latitude influence the fauna of a place?

5) Which latitude will have more biodiversity?

Geographical Explanation

As shown in the figure, a variety of natural vegetation and wildlife is found in different regions of the world from the equator to the poles. These changes occur according to latitudes. Thus, we see that in the same region, different types of plants and animals co-exist together. Such an area where different types of flora and fauna live together in the same region in the same type of climatic conditions is called a biome. Thus, a biome can be defined as the total assemblage of plant and animal species interacting within specific conditions.

Teacher's Note

A biome is a large area with same weather, plants and animals. For example, the Western Ghats in India has rainforest biome with many trees and animals.

Exam Trick

Remember: Biome = Big area with climate. Ecosystem = Small area with living things. Biome is like your whole state, ecosystem is like your school garden.

Points to Remember

A biome is a large region with same climate and same plants and animals.
Different biomes are found from the equator to the poles.
Latitude means distance from equator and affects the biome.
Biome has flora (plants) and fauna (animals) that fit that climate.

Think About It

Besides latitudes, what other conditions influence the biome?

Geographical Explanation

The boundaries of different biomes on land are determined mainly by climate. These include conditions like rainfall, temperature, humidity, amount of insolation received and soil conditions. Different types of trees and animals living in a biome are adapted to the climatic conditions found in that region. We will classify biomes on the basis of climatic conditions in this chapter.

Difference Between Biomes and Ecosystem

The combined co-existence of flora and fauna which is a result of the region's climate is known as biome. In a given region, the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors is known as ecosystem. The biotic factors consist of plants, various types of animals, bacteria, etc. The abiotic factors consist of soil, water, sunlight and nutrients. Through the abiotic factors, the biotic components receive supply of nutrients and energy. This happens through various food chains and food webs. There are various trophic levels in an ecosystem. The first trophic level starts from the plants and different animals, birds or reptiles are found on the subsequent trophic levels. The biome decides which animals and plants will be on each of the trophic levels. For example, river ecosystem is a type of ecosystem. But if the river is in equatorial region, it will have different plants and animals on various trophic levels than the river in a temperate region. Different biomes will have different animals or plants on the same trophic levels. There can be many ecosystems within a biome.

Teacher's Note

Biome is like a big house type and ecosystem is the actual living space inside. For example, tropical rainforest is a biome but a river in that rainforest is an ecosystem.

Exam Trick

Remember: Biome = climate decides. Ecosystem = living things interact. Think: Biome is the house, ecosystem is the family inside it.

Points to Remember

Biome is based on climate like temperature and rainfall.
Ecosystem is based on interaction between living and non-living things.
Many ecosystems can be in one biome.
Biotic factors are living things like plants and animals.
Abiotic factors are non-living things like soil, water and sunlight.

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