How does an ecosystem differ from a biome?

An ecosystem differs from a biome primarily in scale and composition. A biome is a large geographical area characterized by specific climate conditions and the ecological communities that result from those climates, such as the desert or rainforest biome. It consists of multiple ecosystems that share similar climate characteristics and types of organisms.

In contrast, an ecosystem refers to a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, which includes both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors. Ecosystems can vary significantly even within the same biome, as they may be defined by particular organisms, interactions, or specific environmental features.

The distinction reinforces the concept that biomes integrate multiple ecosystems, highlighting the broader climatic and ecological patterns that can be observed across vast areas. Therefore, understanding that a biome encompasses various ecosystems with common climatic traits provides clarity on the hierarchical organization of ecological study.