Difference between revisions of "Biome"

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In KSP terminology, a '''biome''' is geographically contiguous area on the surface of a [[celestial body]]. They yield different experimental data (and flavor text). Currently{{Check version||0.23}}, only the Kerbin System, consisting of [[Kerbin]] and its moons [[Mün]] and [[Minmus]], have biomes. There is another result when an experiment is done while swimming in a fluid. Because of this [[Laythe]] and [[Eve]] appear to have a second biome, although it is simply the first but gathered in the water. Depending on the experiment it might not work in water.
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'''Biomes''' are geographic areas on the surface of a [[celestial body]] typically corresponding with types of geology like mountains or craters. The results of [[Science#Science_activities|science activities]] often differ when performed in different biomes, and thus provide more opportunities to earn Science Points in Career Mode. In Sandbox, even the text descriptions from experiments is unavailable.
  
Taking data at different altitudes (including 'on the ground', i.e. surface samples) over different biomes reveals different [[Science|scientific results]]. Scientific results always count for the complete biome, even if the biome are not connected other parts of the biome. For example the pole biome ''Ice Caps'' on Kerbin counts as one on both poles, as long as they are named the same, and results between both won't differ. Depending on the scientific experiment, it will either differ between all biome or between none and result always same.
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Biomes areas 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.
  
In real life, [[w:biome|biome]]s are contiguous areas with similar climatic conditions and organism communities. Without organisms, there are no biomes.  
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Currently{{Check version||0.23}}, only [[Kerbin]] and its moons – [[Mün]] and [[Minmus]] – are fully mapped with biomes. [[Jool]]'s moon [[Laythe]] and the planet [[Eve]] have bodies of water and science activities performed in them are stated as being from "Laythe's oceans" and "Eve's oceans". However, this is just the effect of the situation "SrfSplashed" for a splashdown versus the usual "SrfLanded" surface landing. Between the
  
 
== Kerbin ==
 
== Kerbin ==
 
[[File:KerbinBiomeMap.png|thumb|Biome Map of Kerbin]]
 
[[File:KerbinBiomeMap.png|thumb|Biome Map of Kerbin]]
The planet Kerbin has 9 true biomes which extend into airborne and orbital altitudes. It also has three surface-only biome special locations, all of which are at [[Kerbal_Space_Center|KSC]], which KSC counts as Shores biome while in flight.
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The planet Kerbin has 9 regular biomes which extend into atmospheric and orbital altitudes. Roughly 60% the surface is Water. Most of the land area is Grasslands and Highlands.
  
There is also a distinction between being on land in a biome or in water. Most rivers and smaller bodies of water are the same biome as the ground around them. Only large lakes and Kerbin's oceans are counted as Water biome areas. Shores make up medium-sized lakes and coastal areas, covering both beach areas and on out into the water. Interestingly, small islands in Kerbin's oceanic areas, such as at the [[Insular Airfield]], sometimes are counted as surface landings, not splashdowns, within the Water biome.
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Currently{{Check version||0.23}}, Kerbin is the only celestial body that both has water and biomes. Most rivers and smaller bodies of water are the same biome as the ground around them, offering the chance for science in a SrfSplashed situation. Only one of the biomes does not have a water area in any of the places it occurs on Kerbin. Shores, obviously, have both land and water; and small islands in Kerbin's oceanic areas, such as at the [[Insular Airfield]], sometimes are counted as surface landings, not splashdowns, within the Water biome.
  
Science can be done in landed and splashed situations within biomes where bodies of water can be found. Science can also be done in biomes at various altitudes.
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Kerbin is the only celestial body that also has special location biomes: the grounds of [[Kerbal_Space_Center|KSC]] and within it the [[Launch_pad|LaunchPad]] and the [[Runway]]. Each of these three count as a distinct biome but only with experiments performed on the surface. The KSC grounds are within a Shores biome, so experiments while flying at any altitude over the LaunchPad, Runway, or KSC count only as Shores.
  
=== Kerbin biome list ===
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'''Kerbin biome list'''
* LaunchPad
 
* Runway
 
* KSC
 
 
* Grasslands
 
* Grasslands
 
* Highlands
 
* Highlands
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* Water
 
* Water
 
* Shores
 
* Shores
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** KSC ''(surface only)''
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*** LaunchPad ''(surface only)''
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*** Runway ''(surface only)''
  
== Mun ==
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=== Mun ===
The Mun has in total 15 biomes, 7 of which are large-scale major craters with specific names. Most of the surface area belongs to the Midlands biome followed by the Highlands. Canyon biomes extend off a few major craters.  
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The Mun has in total 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.
  
There is no atmosphere on the Mun but some experiments can be done at various flight altitudes.
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'''Mun biome list'''
=== Mun biome list ===
 
 
[[File:MunBiomeMap.png|thumb|Mun Biome Map]]
 
[[File:MunBiomeMap.png|thumb|Mun Biome Map]]
 
* Northern Basin
 
* Northern Basin
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* Poles
 
* Poles
  
== Minmus ==
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=== Minmus ===
Minmus has in total 9 biomes. The most distinctive quality of Minmus's biomes is the variety of ''Flats''; these are solid — and indeed flat — ground which in-game text describe as "lake beds". Roughly two-thirds of the surface area is irregular terrain transitioning between Highlands, Midlands, and Lowlands with Slopes in-between.
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Minmus has in total 9 biomes. The most distinctive quality of Minmus's biomes is the variety of Flats, which in-game text describe as "lake beds", that are indeed flat areas which may represent frozen lakes. Roughly two-thirds of the surface area is irregular terrain transitioning between Highlands, Midlands, and Lowlands with Slopes in-between.
  
There is no atmosphere on Minmus but some experiments can be done at various flight altitudes.
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'''Minmus biome list'''
===Minmus biome list===
 
 
[[File:Minmusbiome.png|thumb|Minmus Biome Map]]
 
[[File:Minmusbiome.png|thumb|Minmus Biome Map]]
 
* Highland
 
* Highland
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* Greater Flats
 
* Greater Flats
 
* Poles
 
* Poles
 
== Eve ==
 
* Ocean
 
* Land
 
 
== Laythe ==
 
* Water
 
* Land
 
 
== Other ==
 
All other celestial bodies have only one biome for the complete body. This will most likely change in the future.
 

Revision as of 20:53, 15 March 2014

Biomes are geographic areas on the surface of a celestial body typically corresponding with types of geology like mountains or craters. The results of science activities often differ when performed in different biomes, and thus provide more opportunities to earn Science Points in Career Mode. In Sandbox, even the text descriptions from experiments is unavailable.

Biomes areas 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.

Currently[outdated], only Kerbin and its moons – Mün and Minmus – are fully mapped with biomes. Jool's moon Laythe and the planet Eve have bodies of water and science activities performed in them are stated as being from "Laythe's oceans" and "Eve's oceans". However, this is just the effect of the situation "SrfSplashed" for a splashdown versus the usual "SrfLanded" surface landing. Between the

Kerbin

Biome Map of Kerbin

The planet Kerbin has 9 regular biomes which extend into atmospheric and orbital altitudes. Roughly 60% the surface is Water. Most of the land area is Grasslands and Highlands.

Currently[outdated], Kerbin is the only celestial body that both has water and biomes. Most rivers and smaller bodies of water are the same biome as the ground around them, offering the chance for science in a SrfSplashed situation. Only one of the biomes does not have a water area in any of the places it occurs on Kerbin. Shores, obviously, have both land and water; and small islands in Kerbin's oceanic areas, such as at the Insular Airfield, sometimes are counted as surface landings, not splashdowns, within the Water biome.

Kerbin is the only celestial body that also has special location biomes: the grounds of KSC and within it the LaunchPad and the Runway. Each of these three count as a distinct biome but only with experiments performed on the surface. The KSC grounds are within a Shores biome, so experiments while flying at any altitude over the LaunchPad, Runway, or KSC count only as Shores.

Kerbin biome list

  • Grasslands
  • Highlands
  • Mountains
  • Deserts
  • Badlands
  • Tundra
  • IceCaps
  • Water
  • Shores
    • KSC (surface only)
      • LaunchPad (surface only)
      • Runway (surface only)

Mun

The Mun has in total 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
  • Northern Basin
  • Highland Craters
  • Highlands
  • Midland Craters
  • Midlands
  • Canyons
  • East Crater
  • East Farside Crater
  • Farside Crater
  • Northwest Crater
  • Southwest Crater
  • Twin Craters
  • Polar Crater
  • Polar Lowlands
  • Poles

Minmus

Minmus has in total 9 biomes. The most distinctive quality of Minmus's biomes is the variety of Flats, which in-game text describe as "lake beds", that are indeed flat areas which may represent frozen lakes. 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
  • Highland
  • Midlands
  • Lowlands
  • Slopes
  • Lesser Flats
  • Flats
  • Great Flats
  • Greater Flats
  • Poles