Final answer:
The term 'biomes' refers to large ecological communities based on the physical surroundings where different plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions thrive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to ecological communities formed by living things based on the physical surroundings of an area is biomes. A biome is a large geographic biotic unit, a major community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental conditions. It includes various ecosystems and extends over a large area of Earth. Biomes encompass various forms of life and the interactions between soil, water, air, and sunlight that the region offers. Examples of biomes include tropical rainforests, deserts, tundras, and grasslands. Each biome is unique in terms of its climate, soil, plants, and animals.