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.

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.

Biomes in KSP

Kerbol

The star Kerbol has no biomes.

Moho

The planet Moho has 12 biomes. It is 1 of the 2 bodies (Moho and Ike) that has their own North and South Pole biome. On the North Pole their is a big sinkhole called the Northern Sinkhole.

Moho biome list

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

Eve

The planet Eve has 7 biomes. It has several Explodium Seas, among which lie large Lowlands with several Peaks.

Eve biome list

Poles
Explodium Sea
Lowlands
Midlands
Highlands
Peaks
Impact Ejecta

Gilly

The moon of Eve, called Gilly, only has 3 biomes.

Gilly biome list

Lowlands
Midlands
Highlands

Kerbin

Kerbin Biome Map

The planet Kerbin has 9 biomes, plus a large number of surface-only “location biomes” comprising Kerbal Space Center. Roughly 60% Kerbin's surface is Water biome. Grasslands and Highlands biomes cover most of the land area.

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. The exact trigger is unknown but may relate to split-second timing while jumping on a parked vessel.

Kerbin biome list

Ice Caps
Tundra
Highlands
Mountains
Grasslands
Deserts
Badlands
Shores
Water

KSC location biome list

KSC
- Administration
- Astronaut Complex
  - Flag Pole
- Crawlerway
- 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
- VAB
  - VAB Main Building
  - VAB Pod Memorial
  - VAB Round Tank
  - VAB Tanks

Old Airfield (Need verification)
Inland Kerbal Space Center (Need verification)

Mun

The moon of Kerbin, called the Mun, has a total of 15 biomes, 7 of which are uniquely named major craters. Most of the surface area belongs to the Midlands biome followed by the Highlands. Canyon biomes extend off a few major craters.

Mun biome list

Mun Biome Map

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

Minmus

The moon if 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 biome list

Minmus Biome Map

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

Duna

The planet Duna only has 5 biomes.

Duna biome list

Poles
Highlands
Midlands
Lowlands
Craters

Ike

The moon of Duna, called Ike, has in total 8 biomes. It is 1 of the 2 bodies (Moho and Ike) that has their own North and South Pole biome.

Ike biome list

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

Dres

The planet Duna only has 5 biomes.

Dres biome list

Poles
Highlands
Midlands
Lowlands
Ridges
Impact Ejecta
Impact Craters
Canyons

Jool

The planet Jool has no biomes.

Laythe

The first moon of Jool, called Laythe, only has 4 biomes. Laythe exists of huge ocean called The Sagan Sea with some small Dunes and Shores biomes. It also has a Poles biome.

Laythe biome list

Poles
Shores
Dunes
The Sagen Sea

Vall

The second moon of Jool, called Vall, also has 4 biomes.

Vall biome list

Poles
Highlands
Midlands
Lowlands

Tylo

The third moon of Jool, called Tylo, has 5 biomes.

Tylo biome list

Highlands
Midlands
Lowlands
Mara
Major Crater

Bop

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

Bop biome list

Poles
Slopes
Peaks
Valley
Ridges

Pol

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

Pol biome list

Poles
Lowlands
Midlands
Highlands

Eeloo

The planet Eeloo has a total of 7 biomes.

Eeloo biome list

Poles
Glaciers
Midlands
Lowlands
Ice Canyons
Highlands
Craters