Introduction
One of the most common ESS student questions is: Do I need to memorize all the biomes for exams? With the new IB ESS syllabus (first assessment 2026), biomes remain a crucial part of understanding ecosystems, energy flows, biodiversity, and sustainability.
The good news: you don’t need to memorize every detail of every biome. Instead, the syllabus expects you to know the major biomes, their defining features, and how human activities affect them. Examiners reward students who can use examples and case studies flexibly rather than reciting facts.
Quick Start Checklist: Biomes in ESS
- Focus on major global biomes: rainforest, desert, savanna/grasslands, tundra, temperate forest, aquatic ecosystems.
- Learn their climate, biodiversity, and productivity.
- Be ready to discuss human impacts (deforestation, agriculture, urbanization).
- Use at least one global and one local case study per biome.
- Apply biomes to systems thinking and sustainability issues.
Major Biomes to Know
1. Tropical Rainforest
- Hot, wet climate with high biodiversity.
- Rapid nutrient cycling but poor soils.
- Deforestation for logging and agriculture is a major issue.
2. Desert
- Extremely dry, with large temperature swings.
- Low biodiversity but species have unique adaptations.
- Human pressures include water extraction and desertification.
3. Savanna/Grasslands
- Seasonal rainfall patterns.
- Home to grazing animals and predators.
- Increasingly converted to farmland or ranching.
4. Temperate Forest
- Moderate climate, rich soils.
- Broadleaf and mixed forests common.
- Threatened by logging and urban development.
5. Tundra
- Cold, low biodiversity, permafrost soils.
- Highly vulnerable to climate change and melting permafrost.
6. Aquatic Biomes
- Freshwater: lakes, rivers, wetlands.
- Marine: coral reefs, coastal zones, open ocean.
- Under pressure from overfishing, eutrophication, and pollution.
How Biomes Are Tested in ESS
- Paper 1: Data-response questions may present biome maps, climate graphs, or biodiversity data.
- Paper 2: Extended responses often ask students to compare biomes, evaluate human impacts, or apply conservation strategies.
- IA: Many students choose local biomes for fieldwork, such as wetlands, forests, or grasslands.
Examiners look for application of examples, not rote memorization. For example, an essay on food production could use grasslands to discuss cattle farming or rainforests to explore shifting agriculture.
Memorization vs Understanding
You don’t need to memorize exact rainfall values or species lists. Instead, focus on:
- Climate patterns (temperature, precipitation).
- Biodiversity and productivity (which are high or low, and why).
- Adaptations of species to their environment.
- Human impacts and sustainability issues.
This ensures you can apply biome knowledge across multiple exam questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to draw biome maps in the exam?
You may be asked to interpret or label maps, but drawing full biome maps is unlikely. Instead, practice linking biomes to climate zones and human impacts.
2. How many case studies per biome do I need?
One global and one local example per biome is ideal. For example, you might study the Amazon Rainforest globally and a nearby forest or wetland locally.
3. How can I revise biomes efficiently?
Use summary sheets and diagrams for each biome. RevisionDojo provides structured notes and practice questions that highlight the most important biome details for exams.
Conclusion
In IB ESS 2026, you don’t need to memorize every detail of every biome, but you do need to understand the major types, their characteristics, and human impacts. By using case studies and systems thinking, you’ll be able to apply biome knowledge to a wide variety of exam questions.
Call to Action
Want clear biome summaries, climate graphs, and exam-style questions? RevisionDojo has the best ESS resources, helping you study smarter for the 2026 syllabus. Start revising biomes with us today!
