Which of the following statements best describes the effect of climate on biome distribution?

• A. Climate determines the temperature and precipitation patterns, which in turn dictate the types of biomes found in different regions.
• B. Climate has no effect on biome distribution; it is determined solely by latitude.
• C. Biomes are distributed randomly across the Earth, regardless of climate.
• D. Only soil type, not climate, influences the distribution of terrestrial biomes.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of biomes: Biomes are large ecological areas on Earth with distinct climate, vegetation, and animal life. Examples include tundra, rainforest, desert, and grassland.
2. Recognize the role of climate: Climate, which includes temperature and precipitation patterns, is a primary factor influencing the distribution of biomes. Different climates support different types of vegetation and animal life.
3. Analyze the options provided: Evaluate each statement to determine its accuracy based on the relationship between climate and biome distribution.
4. Eliminate incorrect statements: For example, the statement 'Climate has no effect on biome distribution; it is determined solely by latitude' is incorrect because latitude influences climate, but climate itself directly impacts biome distribution. Similarly, 'Biomes are distributed randomly across the Earth, regardless of climate' is incorrect because biome distribution is not random but closely tied to climate patterns. Lastly, 'Only soil type, not climate, influences the distribution of terrestrial biomes' is incorrect because soil type is a factor, but climate is the dominant determinant.
5. Select the correct statement: The correct answer is 'Climate determines the temperature and precipitation patterns, which in turn dictate the types of biomes found in different regions,' as it accurately describes the relationship between climate and biome distribution.