Whats the difference between biome and habitat?
A biome is a complex biotic community.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biome
A habitat is the natural environment of an organism.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/habitat
Ahh, so a saltwater fishes biome is the ocean and the habitat might be a coral reef?
A biome might be a coral reef. In your example, I believe the two words are interchangeable.
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS312&q=biome+habitat&aq=f
To understand the difference between biome and habitat, let's first understand what each term means.
A biome refers to a large and distinct ecological region characterized by specific climate patterns, vegetation types, and wildlife communities. Biomes are broad classifications of similar environments found across the globe. Examples of biomes include tundra, desert, rainforest, grassland, and marine biome.
A habitat, on the other hand, refers to a specific place or environment where an organism lives. It is a smaller-scale area within a biome that provides the necessary resources and conditions for a particular species to survive, reproduce, and interact with its surroundings. Habitats can vary significantly within a biome, and each habitat suits the specific needs of different organisms.
To differentiate between biomes and habitats, here are the key distinctions:
1. Scale: Biomes are larger in scale and encompass vast regions, often spanning multiple countries or continents. In contrast, habitats are smaller in scale, focusing on the specific locations or areas where organisms live.
2. Characteristics: Biomes are defined by the broad climate, vegetation, and animal communities that exist within them. They are characterized by consistent and predictable environmental features. Habitats, on the other hand, are more specific and vary within biomes. They reflect the unique conditions required by individual species to thrive.
3. Interconnectedness: Biomes are composed of multiple interconnected habitats, each playing a role in the overall functioning of the biome. Habitats within a biome may vary in terms of their physical features and the species they support.
In summary, biomes are large-scale ecological regions characterized by climate, vegetation, and wildlife, whereas habitats are smaller-scale locations within a biome that provide specific conditions for organisms to live. Biomes represent broad classifications, while habitats focus on the particular environments required by individual species.