Ecology Inquiry-Based Project
Part I: Describe Biome
You will be researching your ‘favorite’ biome.
1. Abiotic Factors - Identify 5 major characteristics of your biome. Provide a brief yet
concise description of biome.
a. Create a climograph for assigned biome.
b. Use this link for help on how to make your climograph in excel:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/15/g912/creatingclimo
graph.pdf
2. On printed copy of world map, highlight your biome.
a. Identify 3 locations (countries, states (if in the US), etc.) that represents your
biome.
3. List at least three National Parks, Monuments or places of interest in your biome.
4. Write an advertising slogan or short jingle to get people to visit and promote the
positive aspects of your biome.
Part II: Biotic Factors/Food Web/Food Chain Project
1. Identify at least 15 organisms from at least three different Kingdoms that live in
biome.
a. Explain at least three adaptations that organisms have that help them thrive
in your assigned biome.
b. Identify at least 2 decomposers/saprotrophs within your biome and explain
their importance to the biome.
2. Create at least 3 food chains using organisms that live in your researched biome.
a. Each food chain must contain at least three to four organisms
b. Directional arrows – showing the flow of energy within the chain
3. Assemble your food chains into a food web. Use a different color pencil for each
food chain within the food web. The web must show at least 10 organisms
a. Provide Drawings or pictures of each organism
b. Directional arrows, showing the flow of energy within the web
4. Create an ecological pyramid for your biome then list the trophic levels of your food
web and the individuals within each trophic level.
a. Try to indicate the amount of energy available at each trophic level in Kj m -2
yr-1
5. Identify one endangered, threatened, or extinct species within your biome.
a. Explain what caused the species to become endangered, threatened or
extinct.
b. Explain how this would this effect your biome if it were to become extinct or
has already become extinct
Part III: Symbiotic Relationships and Competition
1. Identify and explain one example of mutualism found in your biome.
2. Identify and explain one example of commensalism found in your biome.
3. Identify and explain one example of parasitism found in your biome.
4. Identify and explain one example of competition found in your biome.
Make sure to provide a picture of your biome! Since you are looking up all of this
information, you need to be listing ALL of your sources in a works cited page. Remember
APA format! This does not have to be an in-text citation, but rather just a sources list.
Part I: Biome Information
Possible Points
5 Abiotic Characteristics
5
Biome Description
5
List of 3 Locations
5
Map with Biome Highlighted
5
Climograph
Points Earned
10
National Parks/Monuments
5
Slogan/jingle
5
Total
40
Part II: Food Web/Food Chain
Possible Points
15 Organisms
15
Adaptations
10
3 Food Chains
15
Food Web w/Drawings
10
Ecological Pyramid w/energy
10
Trophic Levels
Points Earned
5
Endangered/Threatened Species
10
Total
75
Part III: Symbiotic Relationships and Competition
Possible Points
Example of Mutualism
10
Example of Commensalism
10
Example of Parasitism
10
Example of Competition
10
Total
Points Earned
40
Other
Possible Points
Picture of Biome
Points Earned
5
Neatness
10
Participation
20
Work Cited
10
Total
45
Total Score: __________/200 points