Biome

In Kerbal Space Program a biome is a geographic area on the surface of a celestial body typically corresponding with types of geology like mountains or craters. This is in contrast to the real meaning of the term in which biomes are biotic communities in contiguous areas with similar climatic conditions and organism populations.

The results of science activities often differ when performed in different biomes, and thus provide more opportunities to earn Science Points in Career Mode to research further along the technology tree. In Sandbox, even the text descriptions from experiments are unavailable, rendering biomes unimportant except for determining ore yield. For details and tips on how to get as much Science as possible from exploring biomes (and where to find water in a Mountain biome, for example), see the Science Tutorial.

Areas belonging to a biome may be geographically separate, but they're not considered different areas. For example, after performing an EVA Report at Kerbin's north polar IceCap biome, performing one from the southern IceCap gives the same results (and Science Points) as if it had been performed a second time in the northern IceCap.

With version 0.90 biomes were added to all celestial bodies which have a solid surface, which excepts Jool and the Sun. Before that only the Kerbin system - Kerbin, Mun and Minmus - had biomes. Jool's moon Laythe and the planet Eve have bodies of water and science activities performed in them stated as being from "Laythe's oceans" and "Eve's oceans". However, this was just the effect of the situation "SrfSplashed" for a splashdown versus the usual "SrfLanded" surface landing.

With versions 1.2 and 1.2.1, biome maps were slightly overhauled and new biomes were added setting the total count of biomes to 145.

Kerbol

The star Kerbol (officially called “The Sun”) has no biomes. Any attempt to land on its surface will result in the craft overheating, and ultimately exploding.

Moho

Moho has 12 biomes. It is one of three bodies (the other being Kerbin and Ike) that have their own North and South Pole biomes. It is dotted with Minor Craters and features four distinct Lowland Biomes.

Moho biome map as of 1.2

• North Pole
• South Pole
• Highlands
• Midlands
• Minor Craters
• Canyon
• Northern Sinkhole Ridge
• Northern Sinkhole
• South Eastern Lowlands
• Central Lowlands
• Western Lowlands
• South Western Lowlands

Eve

Eve has 15 biomes with their own science to be collected. It's main features are a large Explodium Sea with some scattered Islands and Shallow areas as well as a Main Continent and Poles. Within the Continent lie three large bodies of liquid, one being a Crater Lake. There are also areas covered with Impact Ejecta.

Eve In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Lowlands Midlands Highlands Foothills Peaks Impact Ejecta Explodium Sea Akatsuki Lake Shallows Crater Lake Western Sea Olympus Craters Eastern Sea

Gilly

With only 3 biomes, the moon of Eve, called Gilly, has the fewest number of biomes.

Gilly In-game biome map as of 1.2

Lowlands Midlands Highlands

Kerbin

The planet Kerbin has 11 biomes, plus a large number of surface-only “location biomes” comprising Kerbal Space Center and related launch sites. Roughly 60% Kerbin's surface is Water biome. Grasslands and Highlands biomes cover most of the land area. Along with Moho and Ike it has distinct polar biomes. Due to a bug, the land within 470m from the north pole is part of the "Southern Ice Shelf" biome.

Kerbin is the only celestial body with location biomes: the grounds of KSC and the many structures it is composed of. Each count as a biome only with experiments performed on the surface. KSC is within a Shores biome, so experiments while flying at any altitude over the KSC count as Shores. However, it is possible to get an "EVA Report while flying over" the area, either while jumping, grabbing a ladder on a craft, or sitting on a EAS-1 External Command Seat.

Kerbal Space Center location biomes

Kerbin In-game biome map as of 1.2

Ice Caps Northern Ice Shelf Southern Ice Shelf Tundra Highlands Mountains Grasslands Deserts Badlands Shores Water

KSC mini biomes

• Baikerbanur
  • Baikerbanur LaunchPad
• Island Airfield
• Woomerang Launch Site
• KSC
  • Administration
  • Astronaut Complex
  • Crawlerway
  • Flag Pole
  • LaunchPad
  • Mission Control
  • R&D
    • R&D Central Building
    • R&D Corner Lab
    • R&D Main Building
    • R&D Observatory
    • R&D Side Lab
    • R&D Small Lab
    • R&D Tanks
    • R&D Wind Tunnel
  • Runway
  • SPH
    • SPH Main Building
    • SPH Round Tank
    • SPH Tanks
    • SPH Water Tower
  • Tracking Station
    • Tracking Station Dish East
    • Tracking Station Dish North
    • Tracking Station Dish South
    • Tracking Station Hub
  • VAB
    • VAB Main Building
    • VAB Pod Memorial
    • VAB Round Tank
    • VAB South Complex
    • VAB Tanks

Notes: While the per-area biomes are available from the start of a new career game, the per-structure biomes will not be found until each facility is upgraded once or twice. To access each per-structure biome, your craft needs to be touching each new building.

Mun

The biggest moon of Kerbin, called the Mun, has a total of 17 biomes, 7 of which are uniquely named major craters. The Mun has the largest amount of biomes in the Kerbol System. Most of the surface area belongs to the Midlands biome followed by the Highlands. Canyon biomes extend off a few major craters.

Mun In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Polar Lowlands Polar Crater Highlands Highland Craters Midlands Midland Craters Lowlands Northeast Basin Farside Basin Northwest Crater East Farside Crater Canyons Farside Crater East Crater Twin Craters Southwest Crater

Minmus

The moon of Kerbin, called Minmus, has a total of 9 biomes. The most distinctive quality of Minmus's biomes is the variety of Flats, which in-game text describe as “lake beds”. They are almost perfectly flat and may represent salt flats. Roughly two-thirds of the surface area is irregular terrain transitioning between Highlands, Midlands, and Lowlands with Slopes in-between.

Minmus In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Lowlands Midlands Highlands Slopes Flats Lesser Flats Great Flats Greater Flats

Duna

The planet Duna has 14 Biomes. Within the generic mix of Low-, Mid- and Highlands lie various Basins and Canyons with some scattered craters. The most dominant feature is the Midland Sea, which spans half the Planet. The Poles also include separate Highlands and Craters.

Duna In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Polar Highlands Polar Craters Highlands Midlands Lowlands Craters Midland Sea Northeast Basin Southern Basin Northern Shelf Midland Canyon Eastern Canyon Western Canyon

Ike

The moon of Duna, called Ike, has 8 biomes. It is one of three bodies (the other being Moho and Kerbin) that has their own North and South Pole biome.

Ike In-game biome map as of 1.2

Polar Lowlands Midlands Lowlands Eastern Mountain Ridge Western Mountain Ridge Central Mountain Range South Eastern Mountain Range South Pole

Dres

The planet Dres has 8 biomes.

Dres In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Highlands Midlands Lowlands Ridges Impact Ejecta Impact Craters Canyons

Jool

The planet Jool has no biomes, since it is a gas giant and therefore landing on its surface is not possible.

Laythe

The first moon of Jool, called Laythe, has 10 biomes. Laythe consists primarily of a huge ocean, called The Sagen Sea, with another ocean called the Degrasse Sea and some small Peaks, Dunes and Shores biomes. It also has a Poles biome.

Laythe In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Shores Dunes Crescent Bay The Sagen Sea Crater Island Shallows Crater Bay Degrasse Sea Peaks

Vall

The second moon of Jool, called Vall, has 9 biomes. It has mostly large Lowlands broken up by Midlands and Highlands with some high Mountains in between. There are four distinct Basins and Poles available as well.

Vall In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Highlands Midlands Lowlands Mountains Northeast Basin Northwest Basin Southern Basin Southern Valleys

Tylo

The third moon of Jool, called Tylo, has 9 biomes. It mostly consists of generic Low-, Mid- and Highlands with some Mara and Minor Craters scattered in between. There are four distinct Craters. Previously three of these Craters were simply named Major Crater, the reason for this oddity not being known.

Tylo In-game biome map as of 1.2

Highlands Midlands Lowlands Mara Minor Craters Gagarin Crater Grissom Crater Galileio Crater Tycho Crater

Bop

The fourth moon of Jool, called Bop, has 5 biomes.

Bop In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Slopes Peaks Valley Ridges

Bop biome map as of 1.2.1

Pol

The fifth moon of Jool, called Pol, has 4 biomes.

Pol In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Lowlands Midlands Highlands

Pol biome map as of 1.2.1

Eeloo

The planet Eeloo has a total of 11 biomes.

Eeloo In-game biome map as of 1.2

Poles Northern Glaciers Midlands Lowlands Ice Canyons Highlands Craters Fragipan Babbage Patch Southern Glaciers Mu Glacier

References

• Answer in “List of places and biomes in KSP (planetary geology & geography) - UPDATING FOR v0.90” by Olympic1

See Also

• A discussion & tutorial of how and where to get Science in biomes