Download Ec12 HO - Biome Project

Omega Science
Name: _________________________________________ Date: ______________
Biome Project
How do ecosystems differ across biomes?

Pick one of the earth’s biomes. Describe the defining characteristics of your biome and
evaluate the biodiversity of that biome.

Identify at least 8 major species within that biome and create a food web showing the
relationships between those species. This should be based on research, and at least one
species needs to fit into each of the following categories: producer, primary consumer,
secondary consumer, decomposer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, detritovore.

Create a trophic pyramid that includes each of the 8 species and their appropriate trophic
level – producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, decomposer. Also label each as
autotroph, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, detritovore.

Pick at least 2 of your 8 species, and generate a list of limiting factors for those species. This
should be based on research.

Identify and describe at least one symbiotic relationship within the biome, preferably
involving two or more of the 8 major species you have focused on. (Keep in mind, symbiotic
relationships do not include predation or competition.)

Identify and describe at least one invasive species in your biome and evaluate its affect on the
ecosystem.

Describe at least one major threat to the biodiversity or populations within the biome and
discuss whether it is a natural or human-induced threat. Suggest what could or should be done
about this threat, using evidence to support your recommendation.

Create a poster or powerpoint presentation to present all of the information above.
Possible Biomes:
Tundra
Deciduous Forest
Savanna
Taiga
Chaparral
Rainforest
Grasslands
Desert
Alpine
Desert-scrub
Freshwater aquatic
Salt-water aquatic (marine)
Reliable Resources: (on blog)
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/
Due Date:
Omega 11 – June 23rd
Omega 10 – June 17th
Dates to work on it:
June 8th/9th
June 12th
June 15th/16th
Expectations for each date:
June 8th/9th:
Characteristics of the biome (what makes it unique?)
Identify, from research, 12 or more species in the biome
 determine whether they are producers, primary consumers,
secondary consumers, decomposers
 determine whether they are herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, or
detritovores
 if there is not one species in each of the categories above, find at
least one species for each category (producer, primary consumer,
omnivore, etc.)
HW: Construct a Food Web and Trophic Pyramid labeled according to the
directions on the other side of this page. This can be a pencil-drawn
draft, but it needs to be complete. It needs to include a minimum of 8
species, and at least one in each category.
June 12th:
your
Identify which two species you will focus on for limiting factors.
Research limiting factors that apply to each of those two species in
biome.
Research at least one symbiotic relationship that exists in the biome.
Consider revising the food web and trophic pyramid to include these
species (if they aren’t already included). Explain the relationship in detail.
Research and describe at least one invasive species and its impact on the
ecosystem.
HW: Research at least one major threat to the biodiversity of the biome.
Write two paragraphs – the first describing the threat, how it affects the
ecosystem, and whether it is natural or man-made; the second
describing what can and what should be done about this threat (if
nothing, explain why).
June 15th/16th:
Create a draft of your poster/presentation and show it to a friend to make
sure everything is included and there are no typos.
Create a final version of your poster/presentation that is colorful, clear,
easy to read, and includes diagrams/pictures.
HW: Finish poster/presentation and practice presenting.
A Works Cited page, including all sources used for this project, is required. You
must find and use at least one eBook/print source. There are plenty of encyclopedias and
books about different animal and plant species, so you might want to research your biome, then
once you’ve selected some organisms from the biome, turn to the eBooks to find out more info.
RESEARCH ORGANIZER
Name: ________________________________
My Biome:
Source Citations
Defining
Characteristics
List of species
(feel free to
add whatever
you find, then
narrow down
the list later…)
Producers:
Primary Consumers:
Secondary Consumers:
Tertiary or Top-level Consumers:
Decomposers:
Circle herbivores, box carnivores, underline omnivores,
put a star next to detritovores.
Food Web
Trophic Pyramid
Limiting
Factors
Species 1 limiting factors:
Species 2 limiting factors:
Symbiotic
Relationship
Invasive
species and its
impact
Threat to
biodiversity
and
populations
*Write paragraphs on separate sheet of paper
CITATIONS