Due Date ________ Biome Biography
OBJECTIVE
Create a 10- to 15-slide PowerPoint presentation comparing an organism found in Texas to a similar
organism found in another biome. Include detailed information on both organisms and regions where
they are found.
(Gray Fox vs. Artic Fox; White-tailed Deer vs. European Roe Deer; Post Oak vs. Hungarian Oak)
TEKS
4. Science concepts. The student knows the relationships of biotic & abiotic factors within habitats,
ecosystems, & biomes. The student is expected to:
A. Assess the role of native plants & animals within a local ecosystem & compare them to plants &
animals in ecosystems within other biomes.
IMPORTANT INFO
 Presentations can be completed individually or by teams of 2 people. No exceptions.
 You can choose to present your PowerPoint to the class for bonus points. Only students who actually
present will receive extra points.
 This assignment will be counted as a major grade (50%).
 Information must be accurate! (For example, there are no native tigers in Africa.)
 Must use at least 5 different sources for pictures and information.
 List sources on last slide of presentation (not counted in number of slides).
 There must be at least 10 slides of information, including the title slide, but no more than 15 slides.
PROCEDURE
1. Choose an organism found in Texas (plant, fungi, animal, insect, etc.)
2. Use the following table as a guideline of what to include in presentation:
Texas Organism:
1. Common name/s & scientific name (Genus species)
2. Major biome and Texas ecoregion/s where found
 Abiotic & biotic characteristics that form the region
(Soil type, topography, plants, animals, climate, etc.)
 Any specific habitat the organism prefers (needs rich soil or wet soil, lives at
high elevations, makes it nests in tree or underground, etc.)
3. Adaptations or physical characteristics that help the organism survive in that
region (venom, thick fur, large ears, little water needed, thorns, etc.)
4. Natural history of organism (facts about the organism’s everyday life)
 What does it eat?
 What are its predators or what eats it?
 What kind of family life does it have? (solitary, live in groups, migrate?)
 Info about babies, mating, interesting facts, etc.
5. Human impacts
 Habitat destruction/fragmentation, pollution, introduced exotic species,
poaching (illegal hunting), overexploitation, expanding human population, etc.
Similar Organism:
1. Common name/s & scientific name (Genus species)
2. Major biome, continent, & country where found
3. Comparison of physical characteristics of organism to those of its Texas “cousin”
ONLINE RESOURCES
 http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/tx_eco.htm
 http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/about_texas/regions/index.phtml
 http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/content/texasEcoRegions
 http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild
 http://texasprairie.org/index.php/learn/about_prairies_entry/what_are_the_ecoregions_of_texas
 http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
 http://www.worldbiomes.com
 http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes
 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
 http://www.enature.com
GRADING RUBRIC
Requirement
Texas Organism
1. Common name
2. Scientific name, written correctly
3. Major biome where it lives
- a/biotic factors: plants, animals, climate, soil, etc.
4. Texas ecoregion(s) where it lives
- a/biotic factors: plants, animals, climate, soil, etc.
5. Specific habitat organism prefers or where it nests, etc.
6. Physical characteristics (adaptations) that help the organism to
survive in the region where it lives. 2 MINIMUM
7. What the organism eats (if applicable)
8. What eats the organism
9. Other natural history facts about organism.
10. Human impacts the organism is experiencing or any negative
factors affecting the organism
11. Quality pictures, including maps. 5 MINIMUM
Similar Organism from Another Biome
1. Common name
2. Scientific name, written correctly
3. Major biome where it lives
4. Continent where it lives
5. Identify where it lives on a map
6. Comparison of physical characteristics of organism to those of
its Texas “cousin”. 4 MINIMUM
7. Quality pictures of organism. 3 MINIMUM
Accurate Information
Organization & Neatness
Format & Grammer
Teammate Evaluation
Points
1
1
10
10
2
10
2
2
10
10
10
1
1
1
1
1
8
3
2
2
2
10
Presenting in Class – BONUS POINTS