Biomes Project

Overview: As a group of no more than 4, you will have the following roles on your team:

• Botanist - this person will be an expert in the plant life of the area

• Zoologist - this person will be an expert in the animal life of the area

• Meteorologist - the weather expert, should also determine the best time of year to vacation in the biome, and what kinds of clothes to bring

• Geographer - map and area expert, will show landmarks, major cities and places a tourist should visit, or activities related to that area (climbing, scuba, etc.)

You will work with a group of scientists, and person needs to research their assigned material. The group will make a poster of the biome and include all their research in the poster. The poster should have a drawing of the animals, plans, thermometer (to illustrate temperature), and a map to illustrate the location. Your poster must fully describe your biome, as it will be displayed for your peers to take notes

Person A – Meteorologist

1. Average rainfall

2. Average temperature (high and low)

3. Describe seasons (rainy/dry, snow, hot, humid etc.)

4. Description of the land (mountains? Sand? Forest? Etc.)

5. Best time of year to visit your biome

Person B – Zoologist

1. List 10 animals that live in your biome. You must have at least one from each of these categories: mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish. You must include drawings and/or descriptions of each

2. What adaptations do animals have to live in that region? (example: white fur on polar bears help them blend in)

3. What does each of your animals eat? List all 10, and what they eat?

Partner C – Botanist

1. What types of plants live in the biome? (you need to list 10 and draw pictures).

2. What are their adaptations for the region (how do they survive)? Example: cacti store water, because there is little water available)

3. What are 5 non-living things in your biome? (draw and/or describe each)

Partner B & C- research a food chain that exists in your biome.

Partner D- Geographer

1. What continents can your biome be found on?

2. Color on the map the area of your biome

3. List 3 major places that people should visit in your biome

4. List at least two activities related to each place (hiking, scuba diving, sip lining, etc.

Useful Sites:

(all) http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/summary.html

(Meteorologist) http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/graphs.php

Wetland Meteorologist http://www.geographychallenge.nsw.edu.au/lo/narawang/climate/climate.htm

Polar: https://ecozoneexperts.wikispaces.com/Southern+Arctic

All:

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm