20+ Differences Between Biome And Ecosystem (Explained)

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Biomes and Ecosystems are two geographical terms that cause a lot of confusion. Biomes and Ecosystem sound like synonyms and are used interchangeably. But these two terms have a number of differences among them.

A Biome is a type of Ecosystem that is categorized on the basis of living organisms that live in a Biome. On the other hand, an Ecosystem is a place where the living and non–living components interact with each other forming an Ecosystem. 

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Key Differences –

Biome –

  1. A large place where a certain type of living organism lives. 
  2. In a specific Biome, only a certain type of species is found. 
  3. It is bigger than an ecosystem. 
  4. Different environmental factors, such as climate, rainfall, soil, etc., affect biomes. 
  5. Abiotic or non-living organisms do not affect Biomes. 

Ecosystem –

  1. A comparatively small place where all types of living organisms live.
  2. In an Ecosystem, the biotic and abiotic organisms interact with other each other. They all are linked.  
  3. An ecosystem is smaller than a Biome. 
  4. Environmental factors do not play any role in Ecosystems. 
  5. Abiotic or non–living organisms affect the ecosystems.

Comparison Between Biome And Ecosystem

ParameterBiomeEcosystem
DefinitionA biome is a place where only a certain type of species is found. An ecosystem is a place where the abiotic and biotic components are interlinked. 
SizeA biome is bigger than an Ecosystem.An Ecosystem is smaller than a Biome.
Species In the Biome, only a certain kind of species is found. In Ecosystems, all kinds of species can be found. 
Abiotic componentsAbiotic components play no role in Biomes. Abiotic components play a major role in Ecosystems. 
Atmospheric conditionsBiomes are greatly affected by atmospheric conditions.Ecosystems are rarely affected by atmospheric conditions. 

Major Differences Between Biome and Ecosystem

Before we jump into the differences between Biomes and Ecosystems, it is important to understand the differences between Biotic and Abiotic organisms. 

What exactly are Biotic Organisms and Abiotic Organisms?

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Biotic Organisms –

  1. Biotic organisms are those organisms that are living. 
  2. Biotic organisms include plants and animals. 
  3. Biotic organisms are a key part of both Biomes and Ecosystems. 

Abiotic Organisms –

  1. Abiotic organisms are those organisms that are non–living.
  2. Abiotic organisms include rivers, mountains, soil, rocks, minerals, etc. 
  3. Abiotic organisms play a key role in Ecosystems, but not in Biomes. 

What exactly is a Biome?

Biomes are places where only a certain kind of species are found. The atmospheric conditions play a major role in determining what kind of species would live in a Biome.

The Latitude also plays a crucial role in determining what kinds of species will live in a biome as Latitude determines the cooler and warmer zones. The biotic and abiotic components of a Biome do not interact with each other and are unlinked. 

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Features –

  1. Availability of only certain types of species. 
  2. A major role of Atmospheric Conditions and Latitude. 
  3. No interaction between biotic and abiotic components. 

What exactly is an Ecosystem? 

An Ecosystem is where the biotic and abiotic components interact with each other. The biotic and abiotic components of an Ecosystem are all linked.

An ecosystem has all kinds of species rather than a certain type of species. Latitude plays no role in determining what kind of species will live in an Ecosystem. 

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Features –

  1. Availability of all types of species. 
  2. No role in Atmospheric conditions and Latitude.
  3. Interaction between biotic and abiotic components. 

Contrast Between Biome and Ecosystem

Origin of The Word

  • Biome – The word Biome originated from two Greek words, “bios” and “oma,” meaning “life” and “group.”
  • Ecosystem – The word Ecosystem originated from two Greek words, “Oikos” and “systema,” meaning “home” and “system.”

Atmospheric Conditions

  • Biome – Atmospheric conditions play a major role in Biomes. 
  • Ecosystem – Atmospheric conditions do not play any role in Ecosystems. 

Species

  • Biome – Only a certain or similar type of species are found in Biomes. 
  • Ecosystem – Different kinds of species are found in Ecosystems. 

Latitude

  • Biome – Latitude plays a vital role in determining what kind of species will live in a Biome. 
  • Ecosystem – Latitude plays no role in determining what kind of species will live in an Ecosystem. 

Size

  • Biome – Biomes are bigger as compared to Ecosystems. 
  • Ecosystem – Ecosystems are smaller as compared to Biomes. 

Abiotic Components

  • Biome – Abiotic components do not interact with biotic components in a Biome. 
  • Ecosystem – Abiotic components interact with biotic components in an Ecosystem. 

Conclusion

An Ecosystem generally refers to a place where biotic components like plants and animals interact with abiotic components like soil, mountains, rocks, and minerals.

There are a number of species found in an ecosystem, and atmospheric conditions do not play any role in determining the type of species in an ecosystem. On the other hand, Biome refers to a place where only a certain kind of species is found.

In Biomes, the abiotic and biotic components do not interact with each other. But the atmospheric conditions play a major role in determining the type of species found in a Biome. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How do abiotic components interact with biotic components in an Ecosystem?

Soil is an abiotic component, but without soil, no plants and trees would take place. Water is an abiotic component; without water, plants would not grow.

Sun is also an abiotic component, but without sun, the process of photosynthesis would not take place.

Q2. How do biotic components interact with other biotic components in an Ecosystem?

There are various lifecycles going in ecosystems. Like Giraffes eat grass, and lions eat giraffes; in the absence of lions, all the giraffes will eat the grass leading to the scarcity of it; thus, lions eating giraffes balances nature.

This is one example of how biotic components interact with other biotic components. 

Q3. What is the major difference between a Biome and an Ecosystem?

The major differences between a Biome and an Ecosystem are –

1. Biomes have only a certain type of species, but Ecosystems have all kinds of species. 
2. Abiotic and Biotic components do not interact with each other in a Biome, but they do interact in an Ecosystem. 

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