Download Webquest * Biomes

Webquest – Biomes
Webquest group:
Background Information:
What is a Biome?
The biosphere is a 12.4 mile span that reaches from the bottom of the ocean to the top of
the atmosphere. It is a closed system which contains all of the world’s living (biotic)
thing things and is often called the zone of life. Many biomes of various ecosystems
make up the biosphere and are diverse not only in climate and abiotic characteristics,
but also in communities of living things. A biome can be defined as is a large
geographical area with distinctive plant and animal groups but it is more than that. Each
biome houses thousands of different communities of biotic life- all which have adapted
to that particular environment. The climate and geography of a region determines what
type of biome can exist in that region. Major biomes include deserts, forests, grasslands,
tundra, and several types of aquatic environments. Some biomes have been further
subdivided into sub biomes because of their environmental differences and the vast
number of different species they contain.
It is important to remember as you compare and contrast the differences that exist on
our planet that all living things are closely related to their environment. Any change in
one part of an environment, like an increase or decrease in temperature or change in a
native species of animal or plant, causes a ripple effect of change in other parts of the
environment. So, abiotic characteristics like climate and habitat that may change over
time because of pollution, natural disaster or man’s destruction of habitats can affect the
biome’s ecosystems in significant ways.
Overall, the earth’s biosphere includes a huge variety of living things, from one-celled
prokaryotes to complex plants and animals. Each organism is an important part of the
sphere and have their own niche or roll to play in the ecosystem. However big or small,
or minute or complex -everything depends on something else for survival.
To understand a world biome, you need to know:
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What the climate of the region is like.
Where each biome is found and the geography of the area.
The special adaptations of the vegetation.
The types of animals found in the biome and their physical and
behavioral adaptations to their environment.
Webquest Focus- Each group will select a specific terrestrial biome or
aquatic life zone and research climate, characteristics and biotic makeup.
There will be a list on the board – sign up for any that have not been
selected.
Using the internet sites below complete the quest by:
Answering all of the following Biome questions:
General
1. What are the biomes of the biosphere of earth?
2. Which biomes have been further subdivided into sub-biomes. List these beside
the major biomes.
3. What are the major biomes of North America?
Specific –
Select a biome and sub biome to research types of ecosystems, communities and
populations.
1. Find the various flora and fauna of sub-biome, typical ground cover and
vegetation type, terrain, altitude, and any other abiotic or biotic important
characteristics
2. Find out which ecosystems exist in the biome and discuss the various types and
communities in each ecosystem.
3. Each community is made up of populations of specific organisms- list at least 2
communities that exist in your biome.
4. Within each community are vast populations of organisms, research at least 4
animals of the biome: one apex predator, one omnivore, one herbivore, and
another of any type.
5. Complete a drawing of these animals within the biome and provide specific
species information such as special adaptations that are necessary to fit in the
biome and ecosystem, the animal’s food web, life cycle, classification and niche.
6. Determine the climate of the biome: highlight average rainfall, extreme
temperatures, etc.
10.Using a world map - find, color and label the biome on a world map
Sites specific to this quest include:
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/
http://eschooltoday.com/ecosystems/what-is-a-biome.html
List others used: