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The factors affecting biome distribution
I can explain how climate and local factors affect biome distribution.
Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
The factors affecting biome distribution
I can explain how climate and local factors affect biome distribution.
Lesson details
Key learning 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.
- Biotic and abiotic components interact within biomes, reflecting these large-scale and small-scale factors.
Keywords
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 misconception
Within a given biome, the plants and animals are the same everywhere.
Small-scale variation occurs within global biomes due to local factors.
The first learning cycle of this lesson provides opportunities for checking and reinforcing pupils' understanding of weather and climate.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Global biomes are large-scale ecosystems defined by their main type.
Global biomes are large-scale ecosystems defined by their main type.
Q2.On which of these continents are tropical rainforests not found?
On which of these continents are tropical rainforests not found?
Africa
Asia
South America
Q3.Which of these terms is used by geographers to refer to the spread of something?
Which of these terms is used by geographers to refer to the spread of something?
location
diversity
migration
latitude
Q4.The pattern of biomes is broadly latitudinal, with tropical rainforests near the and tundra nearer the poles.
The pattern of biomes is broadly latitudinal, with tropical rainforests near the and tundra nearer the poles.
Q5.Determine the biome from the following description of a biome's climate characteristics: high daytime but low night-time temperatures, plus extremely low rainfall across the year.
Determine the biome from the following description of a biome's climate characteristics: high daytime but low night-time temperatures, plus extremely low rainfall across the year.
Mediterranean
tropical grassland (savanna)
temperate grassland
tropical rainforest
Q6.Which global biome would be most likely to have the climate characteristics shown in this climate graph?
Which global biome would be most likely to have the climate characteristics shown in this climate graph?
Q6 Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2025); ECMWF; ERA5. Licensed under CC BY 4.0
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Climate is the average weather conditions over a period of a minimum of years.
Climate is the average weather conditions over a period of a minimum of years.
Q2.Why is it hotter at the Equator than at the poles?
Why is it hotter at the Equator than at the poles?
the Equator is closer to the Earth's core than the poles
the Equator has more oceans, which trap heat more effectively
the Equator is higher in elevation than the poles, leading to higher temperature
Q3.Which key climatic factors influence the distribution of biomes?
Which key climatic factors influence the distribution of biomes?
the Earth's magnetic field
ocean salinity
Q4.Match these global climate zones to the biomes most likely to be found in them.
Match these global climate zones to the biomes most likely to be found in them.
Q5.Put these biomes in the order they are most likely to be found in the Northern Hemisphere, going from the Arctic Circle to the Equator.
Put these biomes in the order they are most likely to be found in the Northern Hemisphere, going from the Arctic Circle to the Equator.
Q6.What local factors affect biome distribution?
What local factors affect biome distribution?
Earth's orbit
latitude
