Biomes…What are they and Where are they?
WebQuest activity
SCIE 203
Introduction:
Biomes (also called biotic areas) are a biological subdivision of the Earth’s surface that reflects the character of the vegetation. Biomes are the largest geographical biotic communities that it is convenient to recognize. They broadly correspond with climatic regions on the planet. The biome concept embraces the idea of community, of interaction among vegetation, animal populations, and soil. A biome may be defined as a major region of distinctive plant and animal groups well adapted to the physical environment of its distribution area.
To understand the nature of the Earth’s major biomes one needs to learn for each:
1. The general characteristics of the regional climate and the limitations or requirements imposed upon life by specific temperature and/or precipitation patterns.
2. The Global distribution pattern: Where each biome is found and how each varies geographically. A given biome may be composed of different organisms on different continents. For example, temperate grassland biome is variously called prairie (North America), steppe (Eurasia), pampa (South America), or veld
(Southern Africa), and the species of grasses may differ in each area but they are all dominated by a type of grass with similar types of animals that eat the vegetation, and similar types of carnivores that eat the herbivores.
3. The dominant, characteristic, and unique growth forms; vertical stratification
(grass, shrub, tree); leaf shape, size, and habit; and special adaptations of the vegetation. Examples of the last are peculiar life histories or reproductive strategies, dispersal mechanisms, root structure and so forth.
4. The types of animals (especially vertebrates) characteristic of the biome and their typical morphological, physiological, and/or behavioral adaptations to the environment
Tasks:
A. Begin a biology dictionary, as you will quickly learn biologists and geologists have created their own language (I call it job security). I suggest you use the last
5 or 6 pages of your notebook to start a science dictionary, or get a small steno notebook. This will be something that will be a great help when you begin teaching biology to your future students. (A list of terms to define will be given to you further down on the assignment sheet). In addition to a biology dictionary a geology dictionary should be made. Additional terms will be given to you weekly to add to your dictionaries. However, you may want to add additional words as you deem necessary. Definitions should be written in your own words and not

copied word for word from a dictionary. In addition to your ‘adult ’ dictionary, you should modify your definition to be grade appropriate (the grade should be based on the grade you desire to teach in the future).
B. Using the colored biome map choose 5 separate geographical areas, (different continents and countries), per colored biome, and collect temperature (average daily in degrees Celsius) and precipitation (total for the year in inches) data over a one year period and plot the final results on the biome graph. Use the following website to collect the climate data:
C. Create a foldable that details the six terrestrial biomes ( only include information pertaining to weather/climate patterns and primary vegetation type, future foldable s will concentrate on other aspects of the Earth’s biomes).
D. Review the Minnesota State Science Standards (concentrate on grades 1-8), based on the 4 criteria listed above, what standards would you be able to address by teaching your students about the Biomes of the World.
Terms to define:
Chaparral
Temperate
Tundra
Terrestrial
Ecology
Weather
Conifer
Tropical
Grassland
Aquatic
Ecosystem
Precipitation
Forest
Prairie
Savanna
Flora
Vegetation
Latitude
Scrubland
Taiga
Desert
Fauna
Climate
Longitude