Biomes, Ecoregions
and Sustainability
http://www.neok12.com/php/watch.php?v=zX021566700444
5d05420545&t=Ecosystems
Why do we find different plants and
animals in different biomes?
• Plants and animals are adapted to live in their
biome. They live within that certain climate.
Sustainability
Biodiversity contributes to
sustainability of an ecosystem.
• Sustainability means an ecosystem can
continue over a long period of time
• The healthier and more diverse an
ecosystem is, the more sustainable it is
What are some biotic components
shared by most biomes?
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plants
insects
herbivores
carnivores
omnivores
scavengers
decomposers
What are some abiotic components
shared by most biomes?
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light
weather
soil
precipitation
temperature
What adaptations help organisms
survive in different biomes?
• Eating adaptations like teeth, claws,
talons, speed, ability to fly
• Reproductive adaptations like bright
feathers, a pouch, noises
• Hiding adaptations like camouflage
• Protective adaptations like heavy fur,
blubber, toxins or venom
How do adaptations help different
organisms survive in different biomes?
• Most adaptations help the organisms
survive in it’s own biome and the
conditions that exist there
How do different environments help to
support different varieties of
organisms?
• The environment should supply food,
shelter, water etc…
• The organisms that are adapted to live in
those conditions will survive
Would a microhabitat, such as the yard
around the school, help to support
organisms the same way a biome
would?
• There should be life in the yard because
all of the basic essentials for life are
there.
What have you learned that you
didn’t expect about biomes?
What are some interesting facts
about the biomes?
What are some of the relationships
between biomes?
• Sometimes certain plants and animals
can live in more than one biome.
Could an organism from one biome
adjust quickly to the conditions of
another biome?
• Not usually. They would not be adapted
to another biome.
Biome Comparison
• With the other students at your table, pick
two biomes that are similar to each other.
• Complete a Venn diagram comparing the two
biomes.
Biotic: plants and
animals that the
two biomes do
NOT share
Abiotic
and biotic
factors
they have
in
common
Abiotic: Weather,
landforms or other
abiotic
characteristics that
the two biomes do
NOT share
Biome Comparison
• Now pick two biomes that are very different
from each other.
• Complete a Venn diagram comparing the two
biomes.
Biotic: plants and
animals that the
two biomes do
NOT share
Abiotic
and biotic
factors
they have
in
common
Abiotic: Weather,
landforms or other
abiotic
characteristics that
the two biomes do
NOT share
Think back to our demonstration
with the paper squares.
• When there is little biodiversity in an
ecosystem________________________.
• When there is more biodiversity in an
ecosystem ________________________.
How does the variety of species
within an ecosystem maintain
equilibrium?
• The more variety in an ecosystem, the
easier the organisms can recover if there
is a change in the environment
Frogs
• How would the ability to jump affect
your survival?
• How does genetic variation affect the
population?
Biomes and Ecoregions
• With your table partner, pick one of the biomes
you researched.
• Decide which Texas Ecoregion from earlier in
the year is the MOST similar to your biome.
• Create a quick chart showing the similarities
between the biome and the ecoregion.
Biomes
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Desert
Grassland
Deciduous Forest
Boreal Forest
Mountains
Marine
Ecoregions
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Pineywoods
Oak Woods
Trans Pecos
Gulf Coast Marshes
High and Rolling Plains
Edwards Plateau/Llano
Uplift