INV 22-1 Biome Distribution Lab '07
In this lab you will investigate the relationship between the amount of rainfall and the
variance of temperature and the effect on the distribution of biomes globally. This exercise
provides practice in associating climate (as expressed in monthly averages of precipitation
and temperature) with biomes.
Below, are nine example climatograms, grids on which averages of precipitation and
temperature at a particular location are graphed. These climatograms show variations in only
two important climatic factors during a year. Although, other factors may greatly affect
climate, a climatogram provides enough information to identify a biome from which the data
were obtained. We will graph the last climatogram together to make sure that you have one
completed properly. After we graph the last of the 10, you will use these 10 identified
biomes to analyze a total of 9 unknown biomes. In order to accomplish this, each student will
complete 3 climatograms of the unknowns. When all climatograms are completed, students
should work in their lab groups to complete the activity.
TROPICAL DECIDUOUS
FOREST: Cuiaba, Brazil
Precipitation in cm
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
-16
-20
-24
-28
-32
-36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
J FMAM J J A SOND
J FMAM J J A SOND
Months
Months
Temperature in Celcius
32
36
Precipitation in cm
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
-16
-20
-24
-28
-32
-36
Temperature in Celcius
36
CHAPARRAL: Santa
Monica, California
Precipitation in cm
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
J FMAM J J A SOND
J FMAM J J A SOND
Months
Months
GRASSLANDS:
Lawrence, Kansas
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
28
Precipitation in cm
Precipitation in cm
28
32
Temperature in Celcius
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
-16
-20
-24
-28
-32
-36
32
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
-16
-20
-24
-28
-32
-36
TAIGA:
Anchorage, Alaska
36
36
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
-16
-20
-24
-28
-32
-36
Temperature in Celcius
32
36
Precipitation in cm
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
-16
-20
-24
-28
-32
-36
Temperature in Celcius
36
TROPICAL DESERT:
Aden, Aden
Temperature in Celcius
DESERT:
Reno, Nevada
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
J FMAM J J A SOND
J FMAM J J A SOND
Months
Months
32
Precipitation in cm
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
36
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
J FMAM J J A SOND
J FMAM J J A SOND
Months
Months
36
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
-16
-20
-24
-28
-32
-36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
J FMAM J J A SOND
Months
Temperature in Celcius
TUNDRA: Barrow, Alaska
Precipitation in cm
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
-16
-20
-24
-28
-32
-36
32
Precipitation in cm
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
0
-4
-8
-12
-16
-20
-24
-28
-32
-36
Temperature in Celcius
36
TROPICAL GRASSLANDS:
Moshi, Tanganyika
Temperature in Celcius
DECIDUOUS FOREST:
Nashville, Tennessee
Tropical Rain Forest: Manokwari, New Guinea
J
F M A M J
J
A S
O
N
P: 27.8 27 31.5 28.5 19.7 21.4 15.8 13.7 12.4 11
T: 31
31 31
D
16.8 27
31.9 31.9 31.7 31.7 31.7 31.7 31.8 31.8 31.6
Each student should now graph 3 of the unknown biomes letters A through I. As a lab group, all 9
biomes should be graphed.
UNKNOWN A
J F M A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N D
P: 8.1 7.6 8.9 8.4 9.2 9.9 11.2 10.2 7.9 7.9 6.4 7.9
T: 1.1 1.7 6.1 12.2 17.8 22.2 25
23.3 20 13.9 7.8 2.2
UNKNOWN B
J
F
M
A
P: 25.8 24.9 31
16.5 25.4 18.8 16.8 11.7 22.1 18.3 21.3 29.2
M
T: 25.6 25.6 24.4 25
J
A
S
O
N
24.4 23.3 23.3 24.4 24.4 25
UNKNOWN C
J
F M
A
P: 1
0.3 0 0
1.3 1
J
M J
J
A
S
O
D
25.6 25.6
N
D
0.3 1.3 0.5 0.5 0.8 1
T: 12.8 15 18.3 21.1 25 29.4 32.8 32.2 28.9 22.2 16.1 13.3
UNKNOWN D
J
F
M
A
M
J
P: 1
1.5
1.5
1.3 2.3 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 1.3
1.3
1.8
J
T: -22.2 -22.8 -21.1 -14.4 -0.39 1.7 5
UNKNOWN E
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A S
5
A
O
N
D
1.1 -3.9 -10 -17.2
S
O
N
D
P: 3.6 4.1 4.6 6.9 8.1 6.9 6.4 6.6 8.9 5.1 5.6 4.6
T: 11.7 12.8 17.2 20.6 23.9 27.2 28.3 28.3 26.1 21.1 16.1 12.2
UNKNOWN F
J
F
M A
M J
J
A
S
O N D
P: 5.1 5.6 6.6 5.6 2.8 0.9 2.5 4.1 5.8 5.8 5.1 5.3
T: 23.3 22.2 20 19.5 19 18 18 19.5 20 21 22 22
UNKNOWN G
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
P: 0.3 0.5 1.5 3.6 8.6 9.2 9.4 11.4 10.9 5.3 0.8 0.3
T: 17.2 18.9 21.1 22.8 23.3 22.2 21.1 21.1 20.6 19.4 18.9 17.2
UNKNOWN H
J F
M
A
P: 3.3 2.3
2.5 4.6 5.6 6.1 8.4 7.4 4.6 2.8 2.8
2.8
M J
J
A S
O N
D
T: -20 -18.9 -12.2 -2.2 5.6 12.2 16.1 15 10.6 3.9 -5.6 -15
UNKNOWN I
J
F M A M
J
J
A
S
O
P: 1.5 1.3 1.3 1 1.5 0.8 0.3 0.5 0.8 1
T: -0.6 2.2 5
N D
0.8 1.5
10 13.3 18.3 23.3 22.2 16.1 10.6 4.4 0
Once all of the biomes have been graphed by your group, you will need to distinguish each
biome by adding the name in the title bar after the colon (BIOME A: name). Make sure all
lab partners names are at the top of the page. Answer each question and complete the data
chart in your lab book.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How are the Tundra and Desert similar?
How are the Tundra and Desert different?
How are the Tropical Rain and Tropical Deciduous Forests similar?
how are the Tropical Rain and Tropical Deciduous Forests different?
Lawrence, Kansas and Nashville, Tennessee occupy similar latitudes. Why is one found
in a grassland and the other in a forest biome?
6. Which biome has the most rainfall?
7. Which biome has the least rainfall?
8. Which biome has the highest average temperature?
9. Which biome has the lowest average temperature?
10. Which biome has the most consistent year round temperature?
11. Which biome has the most variable year round temperature?
12. Explain 2 patterns you observe in the different biomes.
BIOME
Tundra
Taiga
Deciduous Forest
Grasslands
Desert
Tropical Rain Forest
3 Indicator Animals
Indicator Plant
2 Characteristic