Research: Biome
Name:
Group Members:
I. Biomes, Ecosystems and Communities
1. Name of biome:
period
precipitation amount and types
land forms
soil types
latitude
due
Read 64-65;110-121
specific location:
2. Research the following abiotic factors in your biome (poster)
a.
d.
g.
j.
assigned
b. wind
e. average T
h. acidity
k. altitude
Read 66-68;96-98
3.1 Assess Q 1-3
c. average sunlight
f. salinity (if appropriate)
i. seasons
l. other
4. Label a world map with all locations your biome may be found. (add to poster).
DUE:
5. Life in your biome’s community:
Create a set of at least 20 index cards.
Read 69-72
3.2 Assess Q1-3
Select a specific community within your biome.
On the front: Glue a picture of each organism on the front.
Label with its kingdom and class.
a. 5 producers.
b. 10 consumers. Must include a combination of trophic levels: herbivores, carnivores, and
omnivores. May include insectivores and sanguivores when applicable.
c. 3 scavengers.
d. 2 decomposers.
On the back: Identify its usual trophic level in the food chain.
Ex: producer, consumer: 1, 2, 3, or 4, scavenger, or decomposer)
If a consumer, identify the type of consumer
Ex: (herbivore, carnivore, detrivore, omnivore, etc)
If a consumer, list 2 or 3 types of food it might consume.
6. Create a food web using the same organisms you have on your index cards.
Read 73-78
3.3 Assess Q 1-3
Use only the top 2/3 of your poster. On the bottom 1/3 list your abiotic information
and use an illustration of your biome as background. Orient your poster PORTRAIT.
NO PENCIL: Must be in marker and formal in finish.
7. Illustrate the following nutrient cycles for your biome
Create a video, diorama, mobile, etc. you choose.
A. Carbon
B. Water
C. Nitrogen
D. Oxygen
DUE:
Read 70-86
II. Relationships and communities
Read 102-104
Create a pamphlet, handout, interactive, wanted poster, want ad, comic or magazine piece
8. Describe: a predator/prey relationship; a mutual relationship, a parasitic relationship and a
commensal** relationship found in your biome.
Supply pictures of all the organisms and describe how the relationships work.
Be certain to include specific adaptations each species has evolved as a result of this
relationship (IE: look like a poisonous butterfly; tail breaks off if caught, etc).
III. Biodiversity and current issues
Create a powerpoint, prezi or video presentation:
Read 158-165;166-171
9. Identify at least 1 endangered plant in your biome
Identify at least 4 endangered animal species in your biome.
Choose 1 from each of at least 4 different classes of animals listed below:
a. mammal
b. bird
c. reptile
d. fish
e. insect
f. amphibian
e. mollusk
h. sponge i. other w/approval
10. For each of the above species:
Provide a picture of the species
Describe its habitat (what abiotic and biotic conditions does it thrive in)
Describe its niche (what it does/how it survives within its community)
Develop a food chain using your organism
11. Be prepared to discuss and give examples of the reasons for the significant population
decrease for each of your endangered or threatened species.
12. EC: Paint a picture of the endangered plant and 1 endangered animal. Specifications will be
provided to the artists. These will be displayed or painted on the walls.
Complete project due:
Daily penalty for lateness: 15 points
Useable Websites
General:
Nutrient Cycles (biogeochemical cycles)
http://www.kidsgeo.com
http://library.thinkquest.org
Food chains and food webs
http://www.bigelow.org/edhab/fitting_algae.html
Animal information: diets, habitats, niches
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals
Biomes:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes
http://www.worldbiomes.com
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments
http://blueplanetbiomes.org
Ocean Ecosystems
http://oceanlink.island.net/biodiversity/foodweb/foodweb.html
http://cbc.amnh.org/crisis/foodweb.html
http://www.marinephotobank.org/home.php
Coral reefs
http://www.iyor.org
http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/reef/
http://www.coralreefmultimedia.org/
http://reefvid.org/
Cold desert (Antarctica)
http://www.vtaide.com/png/oceanchain.htm
Soil community
http://www.soilfoodweb.com/sfi_approach1.html
Forest
http://www.world-builders.org/lessons/less/biomes/rainforest/rainintro.html
Taiga, Boreal, Northern Coniferous Forest
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/biogeography/biomes_northern_fo
rest.html
http://www.vtaide.com/png/taiga.htm
Deserts
http://www.desertusa.com/mag05/feb/food.html