what are biomes

A biome is a large area characterized by its vegetation, soil, climate, and wildlife. It is a biogeographical unit consisting of a biological community that has formed in response to the physical environment in which they are found and a shared regional climate. Biomes may span more than one continent and can comprise a variety of habitats. There are different ways to classify biomes, but one of the most common is according to climate, such as hot, dry, cold, rainy, or humid. The earth has six major biomes, which include subcategories: aquatic, grassland, forest, desert, tundra, and freshwater and marine. Biomes are important because they help scientists understand specific plants or animals, as well as the role they play in their community and the characteristics they have developed to live in a particular environment.