Human Impact on Biomes Project
Your task is to create a compelling photo story describing the effects that specific human
activities have had on the food web within a biome of your choice. Your photo story will show
interactions among organisms in your food web before and after the impact by humans. To get
started you will follow the steps listed below. As you work you will review necessary
vocabulary, expand your understanding of food webs and research a biome of your choice.
1. Choose a biome. Your teacher must approve it.
2. Create a research file. This is a word document that must include the following information:
 A Map of the world that shows where your biome is located. This file should be saved
according to the directions your teacher gives you.
 Climate of biome; Ave. annual temp, Seasonal temp and annual and seasonal
precipitation.
 Plants and animals found in your biome.
 Organisms in your biome that are endangered and an explanation of why they are
endangered
 A paragraph including at least 3 ways humans have had a negative impact on your
biome.
3. Create a file of photos that show typical animal and plant life in your biome and the impact
that humans have had on your biome. Include both before and after photos. This file should be
saved on a jump drive or in your school p-drive.
Websites to start with:
1. Blue planet biomes. (http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm)
Look at the world map of the various biomes and select a biome that you are interested in
learning more about. Choose a biome that you haven’t studied before.
2. Earth floor biomes. (http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/tundra.html)
This web site will provide you with additional plants and animals. It is also a good site for
finding examples of adaptations of plants and animals in your biome.
3. The world’s biomes. (http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php)
One of the objectives of this lesson is to understand how humans can impact food webs. As you
read this site look for information on how humans have impacted your biome. Be specific.
Remember you must include a paragraph in your research file on human impact.
4. MGnet. (http://www.mbgnet.net/)
This site will give you additional adaptations and more ideas for your human impact list.
5. The following sites are specific to certain biomes. Each will provide good information of
threats imposed by humans in your biome.
Forest
Shades of Green: http://library.thinkquest.org/17456/main1.html
Grasslands
Defenders of wildlife: http://www.defenders.org/grasslands/basicfacts
Tundra
The tundra biome:
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/tundra.htm
Rainforest
Mongabay: http://kids.mongabay.com/
Desert
Adaptations: http://www.desertusa.com/survive.html
If you need extra web sites for information about threats to biodiversity, try any of the
following:
http://library.thinkquest.org/08aug/00473/habitatdestruction.html
http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0113-hance_climate.html
4. Creating your Photo Story:
You are now ready to create your photo story. Your goal is to convince your audience of the
devastating impact that humans have had on your ecosystem. Your 2 minute photo story will
detail this impact. You will include photos of the organisms in your biome and will describe how
humans have impacted them. Your story should describe both “before impact” and “after
impact”. You must include at least 2-3 photos showing the results of human impact on your
food web. You must also include a map that shows the location of your biome. Your story must
include text narration and have background music. When you are finished, save your photo
story to the “p” drive.
Items you will be saving on the “p” drive
1. Research file Word Document
2. Your photo story
Items to be turned in: Research File Word Document
We will share your photo story in class.