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Honors Biology The Biomes of the World Lab
Pre Lab Discussion
Biomes are very large ecosystems that contain a number of smaller but related ecosystems within them. A certain
biome may exist in more than one location on Earth, but each of those locations has a similar climate and
inhabitants with similar adaptations. Biomes are distinguished by their climate, and the presence of characteristic
plants (flora) and animals (fauna). There are both aquatic and land biomes. Most ecologists recognize eight major
and several minor terrestrial (land) biomes, as well as both freshwater and marine biomes. Because abiotic factors
change over a landscape, biomes seldom have distinct boundaries. As climate varies over the Earth’s surface, for
example, deserts tend to gradually change into grasslands, tundra into taiga, and so on.
Purpose: To identify the biomes of the world, their locations, climate, the organisms and their adaptations that
inhabit each.
Part I
Using the link below, outline the area of the biome on the map and shade it in with the appropriate color listed in
the key.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
KEY
T
tundra (white)
BF taiga/ boreal forest (dk. brown)
DF deciduous forest (lt. brown)
RF tropical rain forest (dk. green)
TG temperate grassland (lt. green)
S
savanna (orange)
CH chapparal (red)
D
desert (yellow)
M
marine (lt. blue)
F
freshwater (dk. blue)
Part II
Using the links below, answer the following questions and complete all sections of the Biome Chart attached. This
chart will be used as your study guide for a comprehensive quiz. Go into individual biome description pages to
complete chart. You may also use your textbook.
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php
http://biology.about.com/od/landbiomes/a/aa042806a.htm
https://php.radford.edu/~swoodwar/biomes/
Part III: Analysis and Critical Thinking
1. What is a biome?
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2. What are the three major factors that determine what biome a region of the world belongs to?
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3. How does a biome differ from a habitat?
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4. In which biome do you live? In what ways has your community adapted to living in this environment?
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5. Discuss three reasons why the freshwater and marine biomes are so important.
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6. Which biomes have the highest productivity? Explain why.
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7. Regarding light, in which aquatic zone do most organisms live? Explain why.
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8. Which biomes have the highest and lowest soil nutrient content? Explain why.
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9. Which biomes are most useful to humans for agriculture? Explain why.
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10. Which biomes are the most endangered? Explain why.
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11. Which biome would have the most profound effect on us, if it was lost? Explain why.
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12. Compare and contrast the tundra and the desert. How are they similar and how are they different?
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Name ____________________________________
Biomes of the World Study Guide
Biome
Location
Climate
altitude/ soil
layer under
soil:
Tundra
Boreal
Forest/Taiga
Temperate
Deciduous
Forest
Tropical
Rain
Forest
Temperate
Grassland
area that
contains most
life:
Annual
temps/
seasons
Precipitation
(inches/yr)
2 Plants &
their
adaptations
2 Animals &
their
adaptations
Biome
Location
Climate
altitude/ soil
occurs each
season:
Savanna
Chapparal
dry/arid
Desert
cold
Freshwater
Marine
layer contains
life:
layer contains
life:
Annual
temps
seasons
Precipitation
(inches/yr)
2 plants /
adaptations
2 Animals/
adaptations