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Year 10 - Geography

The factors affecting biome distribution

Global biomes

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about ecosystems and biomes at different scales. Pupils learn about the factors influencing biome distribution and the physical systems and processes regulating them. Pupils will also learn about the impact of population growth and resource extraction on biomes.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how climate and local factors affect biome distribution.

Key Notes

  • On a large-scale, climate is the main factor affecting the distribution of biomes.
  • Local factors (altitude, rock and soil type and drainage) can affect local biome distribution.
  • Biotic and abiotic components interact within biomes, reflecting these large-scale and small-scale factors.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • climate: the average weather conditions (such as rainfall and temperature) recorded over a 30-year period
  • altitude: the height above sea level
  • drainage: the distribution, storage and movement of water in the environment

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Within a given biome, the plants and animals are the same everywhere.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

On a large-scale, climate is the main factor affecting the distribution of biomes. Local factors (altitude, rock and soil type and drainage) can affect local biome distribution.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'climate'

the average weather conditions (such as rainfall and temperature) recorded over a 30-year period.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Within a given biome, the plants and animals are the same everywhere. Correction: Small-scale variation occurs within global biomes due to local factors.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 Geography guide library.