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Year 7

The biomes of China

I can list some of China’s biomes and use a geographical information system (GIS) to investigate one of these biomes.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

The biomes of China

I can list some of China’s biomes and use a geographical information system (GIS) to investigate one of these biomes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A biome is a large community of vegetation and wildlife adapted to a specific climate.
  2. China has a range of biomes including desert, grassland and forests.
  3. The Gobi desert is one of the largest deserts in the world and part of it is found in China.
  4. The tropical forest of Xishuangbanna is one of the largest forests in Asia.
  5. A geographical information system (GIS) can be used to investigate biomes in China.

Keywords

  • Biome - a large region of the world with places that have similar climates, vegetation and animals that have adapted to living there

  • Temperate - the temperate climate zone is the region between the tropics and the polar areas

  • Tropical - the tropical climate zone is the region between the Tropic of Cancer in the north and the Tropic of Capricorn in the south

  • GIS - a GIS (geographic information system) is a computer system that captures, and displays geographic data to help understand spatial patterns

Common misconception

The physical geography of China doesn't vary across the country.

China is a huge country with diverse landscapes and a range of biomes including desert, grassland, tropical forests and temperate forests.


To help you plan your year 7 geography lesson on: The biomes of China, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use GIS or atlases to investigate other biomes in China.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
China is in the continent of .
Correct Answer: Asia
Q2.
Which mountain range forms the northern and western border of China?
Correct answer: The Himalayas
The Andes
The Alps
Q3.
What is the longest river in China?
The Ganges
Correct answer: The Yangtze (Chang Jiang)
The River Thames
Q4.
Which desert is located in northern China?
The Atacama Desert
The Sahara Desert
Correct answer: The Gobi Desert
Q5.
What is the main climate in northern China?
Correct answer: Arid and semi-arid (Desert-like)
Tropical Rainforest
Polar
Q6.
What is the difference between a biome and an ecosystem?
A biome is a specific habitat
Correct answer: A biome is a large area with similar climate
Correct answer: An ecosystem is a local community
An ecosystem is the entire Earth

4 Questions

Q1.
What is a biome?
Correct answer: Regions of the world which have similar climates, landscapes, plants and animals
The different types of vegetation found on Earth
Communities of plants and animals
Q2.
What biomes are within China?
Desert
Grassland
Mountain/alpine
Temperate forest
Correct answer: All of the above
Q3.
Match the type of biome with its description.
Correct Answer:Temperate forest,located in the temperate region between the Polar and tropical regions
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located in the temperate region between the Polar and tropical regions

Correct Answer:Tropical forest,located between the tropics where the climate is hot and humid
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located between the tropics where the climate is hot and humid

Correct Answer:Wetland,areas of land that are underwater for most of the time
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areas of land that are underwater for most of the time

Correct Answer:Mountain or alpine,found at high altitudes; cold and windy
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found at high altitudes; cold and windy

Correct Answer:Grassland or savanna,area of open land with grasses, shrubs and sometimes trees
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area of open land with grasses, shrubs and sometimes trees

Correct Answer:Desert,little rainfall and vegetation; can be hot or cold
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little rainfall and vegetation; can be hot or cold

Q4.
GIS can be used to investigate biomes in China. What does GIS stand for?
Correct answer: Geographical Information System
Geography Images System
Global Information Service