What are biomes, ecosystems and habitats?
There are many different biomes around the world. They are home to animals and
plants that are specially adapted to live there.
A biome is a region of the world characterized by its native life, environment, and climate. Temperature, precipitation (rainfall), and amount of sunlight all impact what type of life lives in a particular biome and can help define each biome. There are lots of different biomes around the world.
An ecosystem describes how the plants and animals live together in a particular environment. This definition includes all living and non-living things such as, plants and animals, water, climate, and soil.
A habitat is specific to a species of plant or animal. The habitat is the natural home of that species. It is where it lives.
Here are some of the main groups of biomes.
To learn more about the different biomes go to BiomeViewer
Click on the links to learn more about Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park as well as the animals and conservation programmes that we are involved in around the world. The animals in both collections come from these biomes.