Biology 20
Stephens
Terrestrial Biomes:
Characteristics of the Major Biomes
The purpose of the activity below is to research, record and share information about the
characteristics of the six main terrestrial biomes of North America.
Procedure:
1. Research and record the following information for the biome assigned to you.
Describe the location of the biome in North America and indicate the location on a map of North
America. An outline map of North America will be provided.
i) Describe the climate of the biome (include average temperatures in oC and annual
precipitation in centimeters.)
ii) Give a brief description of the soil types found in the biome. (refer back to soil types
in your answer to earlier in Unit 2)
iii) Describe the vegetation (flora) found in the biome. Be sure to indicate the dominant
plant types as well as others. Briefly explain the special adaptations that the plants
exhibit that help them survive in this biome.
iv) Describe some of the typical animal life (fauna) found in the biome. Briefly explain
the special adaptations that the animals exhibit that help them to survive in this
biome.
v) Describe some of the major human activities that take place in this biome. (Your
answers should focus on activities that are done for profit and are characteristic of the
resource in the area - (ex. grain farming, trapping, logging etc.)
vi) Describe some of the affects of the human activities that take place in this biome. (ie
How do humans have an impact on this area?)
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Biology 20
Stephens
2. Record your information in a neat well-organized form. (see example chart below)
Be sure that you leave room for the information for the other biomes.
CLIMATE
SOIL
PLANTS types ANIMALS
and
adaptations
types and
adaptations
HUMAN
ACTIVITIES
HUMAN
AFFECTS
Tundra
Coniferous
Forest
Deciduous
Forest
Grasslands
Tropical Rain
Forest
Deserts
Note: This chart is meant to be an example of a method that you may chose to use to organize
your information. This actual chart would not have enough room to enter all of your
information.
3. Record all of the information on the other biomes that you receive from other class
members.
Below are some links to help you in your research:
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html (Contains a bit of
information on all of the biomes)
http://www.ultranet.com/~jkimball/BiologyPages/B/Biomes.html (Contains information on the
Desert biome)
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