Question

What determines the limits of a biome?
A. Temperature and rainfall
B. Types of soil
C. Altitude and latitude
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Biome is a community of living organisms that share a common environment. All the organisms in a biome exhibit similar characteristics. A biome may include many habitats and have similar vegetation, soil, precipitation, climate and wildlife.

Complete answer:
Biomes are communities comprising different habitats. Many biomes together form a biota. The cumulation of Earth’s biota forms the biosphere.

The limitations of a biome are determined by the following:
-Climatic conditions: Climate is the mean of weather conditions for a long period of time. While weather is the day to day fluctuations of atmospheric conditions. Temperature and rainfall are the most important factors that influence the climate of a region. It is because temperature is regulated by the amount of light received by the region, distance of the region from water bodies and the water content of a region is determined by the amount of rainfall received throughout the year. Therefore, the growth of plants or primary producers depend on the amount of light, rainfall and humidity of a specific region. Since, plant growth or vegetation influences the fauna or animal diversity of a region, climatic factors as a whole determines the general characteristics of a biome.
-Type of Soil: The type of soil is determined by the amount of water, sand or clay present in the soil. If the amount of sand is more, the water retention capacity of the soil is less. This kind of soil is known as sandy soil and it has good drainage. On the other hand, if the amount of clay is more than sand particles, the water retention capacity is more and is known as clayey soil. Though some plants grow well in clayey soil, the roots of most of the plants will be clogged. Plants grow best in loamy soil that has the correct proportion of sand and clayey particles. The amount of organic plant and animal matter in the topsoil determines the amount of humus in the topsoil. Humus contains nutrients and contributes to the fertility of the soil. Thus, the type of soil of a biome is a limiting factor.
-Altitude and Latitude: Climate of a region of the earth is determined by the latitude and altitude of the region. The temperatures are known to decrease from the equator towards the poles. Therefore, latitudes play a major role in determining the temperature of a region. Also, temperatures are less towards the poles than near the equator. Therefore, altitude and latitude also play an important role in affecting the characteristics of a biome.
Hence, it can be concluded that temperature, rainfall, soil type, altitude and latitude are important in forming characteristics of a biome.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Biomes are defined as communities of plants and animals that thrive in the same climate, soil and same region of the earth. The individuals of a biome exhibit distinct characteristics. For example, the plants and animals of deserts can thrive in extreme temperatures and have adaptations to exist water restricted conditions. On the other hand, organisms of the temperate regions experience four distinct seasons and are adapted to tolerate moderate temperatures.