Download Pre-AP Summer Biology Project - School District of Indian River

Pre – AP Biology Summer Assignment: Biome Project
This Assignment will be collected by teachers on September 1, 2016 and used in the Ecology Unit
1. FIRST: Watch the following crash course video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izRvPaAWgyw
2. You will choose a Biome from the list below to research and then create a Biome Booklet which
displays the information listed below.
Biome Options: You may not request different biomes – these are the Biology EOC requirements
1) Tropical Rain Forest, 2) Tropical Dry Forest, 3) Tropical Grassland/ Savanna, 4) Desert, 5) Temperate Grassland,
6) Temperate Woodland, 7) Temperate Forest, 8) Northwestern Coniferous Forest, 9) Boreal Forest / Taiga, 10) Tundra
Chosen Ecosystem: __________________________________________________
3. Resources List: Begin research on your ecosystem. Your report MUST INCLUDE a list of your
research resources at the end of your booklet. Search engines like google, ask, and yahoo ARE NOT
resource websites! Use at least 2 websites: here are some suggestions, but you may use others.
1. http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/
2. http://www.kidzworld.com/article/1951-biomes-of-the-world-aquatic
3. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php
4. http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/index.html
4. Find out the following information about your chosen Biome:
1. General location – use a map to show it and write a description
2. Give monthly temperatures and the Temperature Range – hottest and coldest*
3. Give monthly rainfall as well as the average yearly rainfall, explain if it has a raining season
when that occurs*
*you may show #2 and #3 in a graph form or word form
4. Type of soil present
5. Describe any special features of the ecosystem
6. List three major plants and six major animals found in the biome, Describe any keystone species
5. Choose ONE ecosystem that exists within your Biome (example: Ecosystems of the Desert Biome:
Gobi, Sahara, Mojave, etc.) and CREATE (on you own!) a colorful FOOD WEB with the following
specifications:
1. At LEAST 3 producers
2. 2-3 herbivores
3. 1-2 omnivores
4. 1-2 smaller carnivores
5. 1 TOP Carnivore
6. 2 decomposers or Detritivores
7. The arrows showing the flow of energy through the food web. Example Grass  cow human.
The arrows point in the direction the energy flows. ALL possible feeding connections should be
shown in a food web, so the grass could also have an arrow leading to a grasshopper.
8. For each level (1-6 above) give a picture of each organism, give its trophic name (producer,
herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, decomposer), and the common name of the organism.
9. Here is an excellent website to learn about food webs if you do not know the above terms:
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/food-web/?ar_a=1
10. The food web pictures can be hand drawn or printed from the internet BUT you MUST include a
list of your picture websites in your resource list.
6. Create your booklet on the chosen biome. This MUST include the following types of diagrams: a
map of where the Biome exists, a picture of this biome, and your food web. Remember, you must give
website credit to ALL pictures retrieved from the internet.
DO NOT wait, do it ahead of time so you do not jeopardize your Biology grade. These will be shared in
class when we get to this chapter of the course.
Mrs. Holden and Mrs. Hulse