10/29/13

Tonight's homework is to:

1. Work on Assignment 16 - due Thursday
2. Work on your projects - documents due Thursday and presentations will be held on Friday.

Unit 3 – Project 1 Know Your Role!

Introduction

Biomes are regions of the Earth with similar geography, climate, plants and animals. The climate of a region is determined to a large degree by its latitude. How does latitude influence climate?

Life is found in almost all environments – on all seven continents and all types of oceans, lakes and seas. You task is to investigate the types of life found in an environment and create a product that describes the flow of energy through the ecosystem.

The task for you and your partner (located at your table) is as follows:

1. Choose a biome from the list below.
2. Conduct research (using textbooks and/or the Internet) to learn about: the climate of your biome, the geography of your region, the animal and plant species in the biome, and the relationships between organisms in your biome.
3. Write a summary paragraph about the climate and the geography of your biome.
4. Create a correct food web for your biome with at least six organisms involved. (The food web can be typed or created by hand. It can include pictures of the organisms or simply the names of the organisms.)
5. Answer the discussion question associated with your biome (found on the back).
6. Produce a handout for your classmates containing all of the above information.
7. Produce a bibliography stating the resources used to produce your product.
8. Create a 3 to 5 minute presentation about your biome and the members of its ecosystems.

All written documents are due at the end of the day on Thursday, October 31, 2013 and presentations will take place on Friday, November 1, 2013.

Terrestrial Biomes

- Tundra - Desert

- Taiga (boreal or coniferous forests) - Tropical savanna

- Temperate forest - Tropical seasonal forest

- Temperate woodland and shrubland - Tropical rain forest

- Temperate grassland

Discussion Questions – How does/can change affect biomes and ecosystems?

Tundra – An increase in the greenhouse effect has worked to raise average temperatures worldwide. How might an increase in average temperature affect producers and consumers in the tundra? Be specific whenever possible.

Boreal forest (taiga) – In Siberia (northern Russia), large areas of boreal forest have been harvested for lumber. Describe in detail how the removal of trees from boreal forests will affect consumers. Be specific whenever possible.

Temperate forest – Deciduous trees shed their leaves in autumn. Describe in detail how the loss of leaves would affect various consumers in the temperate forest. Be specific whenever possible.

Temperate woodland and shrubland – Fires have played a role in shaping the ecology of temperate woodlands and shrublands. Describe in detail in fires can affect producers and consumer in the temperate woodlands and shrublands. For example, can a fire be viewed as good for the ecosystem? Be specific whenever possible.

Temperate grassland – Fires have played a role in shaping the ecology of temperate grasslands. Describe in detail in fires can affect producers and consumer in the temperate grasslands. For example, can a fire be viewed as good for the ecosystem? Be specific whenever possible.

Desert – Desertification is a major concern in some areas of the world. What is desertification? Where is desertification a problem and how are humans contributing to it? Be specific and detailed whenever possible.

Tropical savanna – Humans, through hunting and poaching, have impacted the biological makeup of the tropical savanna. Describe how specific human actions have affected the consumers of the tropical savanna. Be specific whenever possible.

Tropical seasonal forest – Humans, through hunting and poaching, have impacted the biological makeup of the tropical seasonal forest. Describe how specific human actions have affected the consumers of the tropical seasonal forest. Be specific whenever possible.

Tropical rain forest – Tropical rain forests are the most diverse of all terrestrial biomes. However, human actions are working to alter the tropical rain forests and their non-human residents. Describe how specific human actions have affected the producers and consumers of the tropical rain forest. Be specific whenever possible.