Download Texas Ecoregions - Flipped Out Science with Mrs. Thomas!

Texas
Ecoregions
What are Ecoregions?
• The natural regions of Texas look different
from one another
• They differ in:
• the living aspects (plant and animal
communities)
• the non-living attributes (topography, geology,
soils).
• Texas is divided into 12 natural ecoregions
We will explore the Texas Ecoregions and learn the
specifics of a few. Understand that each ecoregion
has its own characteristics that make it unique.
We will use this page
Use this chart to fill in missing information –
gather this information from the stations around the room
Texas Ecoregions
Effects of Weathering, Erosion
and Deposition
Factors Affecting
Our Ecoregions
Weathering – chemical and physical break
down of rocks into sediment
Erosion – the movement of sediment from
one place to another
Deposition – the placement of sediment
after being carried from place of origin
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
THE PROCESS THAT BREAKS DOWN ROCKS BY
CHEMICAL CHANGES OR REACTIONS.
MECHANICAL WEATHERING
THE PROCESS THAT BREAKS DOWN ROCKS BY
PHYSICAL MEANS (NO CHANGE IN THE
CHEMICAL NATURE OF THE ROCKS).
Fill in your chart (mechanical)
Type of Mechanical Weathering
Explanation
Ice Wedging
Process that splits rock when water
seeps into cracks, then freezes and
expands
Exfoliation
Extreme high temperatures cause the
outside of rocks to crack and flake off
Root Pry
Roots enter cracks in rocks, forcing the
cracks further apart
Actions of Animals
Burrowing in the ground breaks rocks
apart
Abrasion
Grinding away of rock by other rock
particles
Fill in your chart (chemical)
Type of Chemical
Weathering
Water
Explanation
Water weathers rock by
dissolving it
Oxidation
Rocks that contain iron, oxidize
(rust) and appear red in color
Carbonation
Carbon dioxide and water mix to
form carbonic acid – over time
caves form
Living Organisms
Plants produce a weak acid that
dissolves rock
Acid Rain
Pollutants react chemically with
water vapor to form acid rain
Video on Types of Weathering
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHi2g
Bt7gzc (14 min)
• Study Jams – Weathering and Erosion:
http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?
VideoID=13256
Piney Woods
Weathering:
1. Roots from plants
2. Animal actions like borrowing
3. Plant acid breaking down soil and
rock
Erosion:
1. Moving water/rain – although
number of plants prevents soil
runoff
Deposition:
1. Movement of water through rivers
and streams, slow down in the
“curves” and deposit
Gulf Coastal Prairies and Marshes
1. Soil in the region is
primarily sand-based.
2. If there isn’t enough
vegetation to keep the
soil in place, rainfall
received can cause
severe erosion.
3. Catastrophic events
such as hurricanes can
increase wave erosion
and deposition.
Edwards Plateau
1. This region is located
between dry western
plains and moist prairies
and woods.
2. Unfortunately, erosion has
left most of the region
with very shallow soils
(less than 10 inches) lined
with limestone rock
layers.
3. High amounts of rain in a
short amount of time can
cause flash flooding.
High Plains
1. “Texas Panhandle”
2. Largest and most completely
flat areas of it size in the
world!
3. The region extends to the Palo
Duro Canyon-the nation’s 2nd
largest canyon.
4. Palo Duro Canyon was formed
by water erosion from the
Prairie Dog Town Fork of the
Red River.
5. The water deepens the canyon
by moving sediment
downstream.
6. Wind and water erosion
gradually widen the canyon.
Trans-Pecos
• Rain does not fall
evenly over the area.
• “Desert portion” of
Texas.
• The weathered bedrock
in this area has high
amounts of calcium.
• As a result of erosion
and deposition in the
area, the soil has high
amounts of calcium
called caliche.
Resources:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w
7000_0030.pdf
Ecoregions Folder on desktop –
Stations should have:
1. Piney woods
2. Gulf coast
3. Edwards plateau
4. High plains
5. Trans Pecos
Each station has 1. info page, 2. Texas color maps for rain fall, 3.
pictures of flora and fauna, 4. temperatures (Jan and Jul),