New
New
Year 9

The biomes of Russia

I can describe the distribution of Russia's main biomes and explain how vegetation is adapted to the climate and soil conditions in each.

New
New
Year 9

The biomes of Russia

I can describe the distribution of Russia's main biomes and explain how vegetation is adapted to the climate and soil conditions in each.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Russia's main biomes include tundra, taiga, temperate forest and steppe.
  2. Descriptions of distribution involve three steps: identify map features - general pattern - specific details.
  3. The pattern of biome distribution is broadly latitudinal with tundra occupying the northernmost latitudes.
  4. Climate and soil type varies between the biomes and determines the type of dominant vegetation.
  5. Vegetation is adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the biome.

Keywords

  • Biome - a large region of the world with places that have similar climates, vegetation and animals

  • Distribution - the way something is spread out or arranged over a specific geographic area

  • Tundra - a cold, treeless area with frozen ground and low plants like mosses and grasses

  • Taiga - a cold, northern forest of mainly pine and spruce trees

Common misconception

When describing patterns of distribution from maps pupils can make the mistake of including information not available on the map itself and get tempted to explain patterns.

Use only the available information to write a description of what you see on the map including the general pattern and specific details provided by the legend, labels, compass rose and scale.


To help you plan your year 9 geography lesson on: The biomes of Russia, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils could investigate how the arctic hare (tundra), wolverine (taiga), brown bear (temperate forest) and antelope (temperate grassland) are adapted to their respective biomes.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to its meaning.

Correct Answer:Siberia,A region in eastern Russia with harsh climate

A region in eastern Russia with harsh climate

Correct Answer:Permafrost,Frozen soil that stays solid most of the year

Frozen soil that stays solid most of the year

Correct Answer:Natural gas,A fossil fuel found underground

A fossil fuel found underground

Correct Answer:Renewable energy,A clean source of power like solar or wind

A clean source of power like solar or wind

Correct Answer:Pipeline,A way to transport oil or gas

A way to transport oil or gas

Q2.
Which natural resource is Russia especially rich in?

Diamonds
Coffee
Correct answer: Natural gas
Cotton

Q3.
What is one reason Russia's rivers are important?

They are used for surfing
They are warm all year
They don’t freeze
Correct answer: They transport resources

Q4.
What is a pipeline used for in Russia?

Carrying people
Correct answer: Transporting oil and gas
Moving electricity
Keeping roads warm

Q5.
Which sea lies to Russia’s north?

Red Sea
Black Sea
Correct answer: Arctic Ocean
Mediterranean Sea

Q6.
Why do some Russian rivers freeze for months?

Correct answer: Because of the very cold winter temperatures
Due to mountain winds
Due to tropical storms
They are very shallow

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their correct meanings.

Correct Answer:Biome,Region with similar climate, vegetation, and animals

Region with similar climate, vegetation, and animals

Correct Answer:Distribution,Where something is found or spread across an area

Where something is found or spread across an area

Correct Answer:Tundra,Cold treeless land with mosses and grasses

Cold treeless land with mosses and grasses

Correct Answer:Taiga,Cold forest of pines and spruces

Cold forest of pines and spruces

Correct Answer:Steppe,Flat grassland with few trees

Flat grassland with few trees

Q2.
What kind of trees grow in the taiga biome?

Palm and oak
Correct answer: Pine and spruce
Maple and birch
Apple and orange

Q3.
What kind of trees grow in the temperate forest biome?

Palm and maple
Pine and spruce
Correct answer: Oak and birch
Apple and orange

Q4.
A student describes Russia’s biome distribution by writing, “The taiga is there because it’s cold and it has pine trees.” What is the main issue with this?

It's not using a compass
It doesn't explain the map
Correct answer: It is explaining, not describing
It’s using the wrong biome