How are human activities affecting the ability of other organisms on our planet to survive and thrive?
Task #1: Do a quick overview of the different types of biomes that exist on our planet. Think about the following things as you look at the different biomes.
1) Where can the biome be found in relation to the poles or the equator?
2) What is the climate of the biome?
3) What is the typical flora (plant life) of the biome?
4) What is the typical fauna (animal life) of the biome?
5) What characteristics make this biome different from the other biomes
1) Where can the biome be found in relation to the poles or the equator?
2) What is the climate of the biome?
3) What is the typical flora (plant life) of the biome?
4) What is the typical fauna (animal life) of the biome?
5) What characteristics make this biome different from the other biomes
Life Science Resources
for ecosystems and other life science topics PowerKnowledge: Life Science username: 31oskaloosa password: gpaea |
Task #2 Take the 10 question quiz over the major biomes of the world
Link to quiz: Biome Quiz
Task #3: Select one of the land biomes. Research the living and non-living
aspects of the biome. Do the following things as you research.
1. Use a map of the world to show where your selected biome can be found on our
planet. Use a color-coded system, labels, and a key.
2. On an index card describe the climate- include avg. precipitation and avg.
temperatures
3. On separate index cards identify at least 5 different fauna (animals)that can be
found in your biome. One animal per card. Try to include a variety of types - some
different types of vertebrates and invertebrates. Are they predators? Are they
plant eaters? Do they live in groups? Do they produce live young? Eggs? Include
any other interesting information.
4. On separate index cards identify at least 5 different flora (plants) that can be
found in your biome. One plant per card. Try to include a variety of types. Are
they angiosperms, gymnosperms, or non-seed producing plants? Include
interesting information about the plants.
5. Create a food web and/or energy pyramid for showing how energy passes from
organism to organism in your ecosystem. Include some of the plants and animals
you researched into the food web and/ or energy pyramid.
Use the Biomes links on my web site to find some great resources. Of course there are many other great resources which you may find on your own.
Below is an example of a food web. Food webs show how energy flows through an ecosystem. Note that arrows point from the plant or prey to the predator or animal that eats it for food. A good food web shows how complex an ecosystem is by showing multiple plants and animals. The base of a food web is always its plants. The food web always ends with top predators.
Energy Pyramids are another way of showing how energy flows through an ecosystem. Its base is always the plants in an ecosystem. Above the plants are the animals that eat the plants. Above them are the animals that eat those animals. There are rarely more than 4 levels in an energy pyramid because each level has less and less energy available to it. The top is always a top predator(s).
Task #4: Identify at least 3 or more ways that human activities are affecting the biome
you are studying. What are those activities? How could those activities
affect the plants and animals of your biome? Finally, select one of those
activities and describe in detail out it is affecting one of the biome’s plants or
animals. Use the information you learned to tell us all about the affect of
human activity on your organism.
you are studying. What are those activities? How could those activities
affect the plants and animals of your biome? Finally, select one of those
activities and describe in detail out it is affecting one of the biome’s plants or
animals. Use the information you learned to tell us all about the affect of
human activity on your organism.
Human Impact Links that you can use to understand our impact on the environment.
Effects of Global Warming
Effects of Deforestation
Effects of Urbanization (Urban Sprawl)
Effects of Illegal Poaching (hunting)
Effects of Water Pollution
Effects of Acid Rain
Effects of Global Warming
Effects of Deforestation
Effects of Urbanization (Urban Sprawl)
Effects of Illegal Poaching (hunting)
Effects of Water Pollution
Effects of Acid Rain
Global Warming and Wildlife Video
Wildlife and Loss of Habitat Video
Acid Rain: Its causes and effects