Across the earth, there are large geographic areas comprised of similar environments and ecosystems. These regions are called biomes and are characterized by a particular climate, quality of soil, animal life, and plant life they support. There are six major land biomes on Earth, each with their unique characteristics: tundra, taiga, desert, grassland, temperate forest, and tropical forest.

Task

The International Biome Committee (IBC) is set to give a large grant to a biome of their choice to aide in conservation efforts. You are a biologist and expert of a particular biome and will persuade the IBC why your biome should receive this large sum of money.

Process

You will be working as a team of biologists researching a particular biome. As a team, research and gather information about that biome, then develop a presentation you will give to fellow classmates. Presentations can be a poster or digital Prezi and must include a description of your biome’s defining characteristics, major biotic and abiotic factors, wildlife, plant life, soil, climate, and geography. Each member of the team will become an expert in a particular aspect of the biome.

Team Roles

  • Botanist: this person will research plant life and soil quality
  • What are the producers in this biome?
  • What is the soil like?
  • How do the plants’ characteristics help it to survive in this biome?
  • Wildlife biologist: this person will research the animal life
  • What animals are found in this biome?
  • What food chains exist in this biome?
  • Provide an Energy Pyramid. What organisms would be found at each trophic level?
  • Climatologist: this person will research the climate and temperatures of the area
  • What is the climate like in this biome?
  • What are the temperatures like throughout the year?
  • How much precipitation does the area receive in a year?
  • How does the climate influence the plant and animal life it supports?
  • Geographer: this person will map the area and research major landmarks and geological formations
  • Where is your biome located on Earth?
  • What does the terrain look like? Flat? Mountainous?
  • Are there any major landmarks, such as mountains, canyons, or bodies of water in your biome?
  • Coordinating biologist: If there is an extra member on your team, this person will help coordinate team efforts and bridge research ideas together
  • Provide an overview and description of your biome
  • What are the major biotic and abiotic factors found in this biome
  • Coordinate with the botanist and wildlife biologist to construct a food web found in your biome

Procedures

  1. You will be assigned teams and your biome by the teacher
  2. With your team, decide on roles and responsibilities
  3. Research your field of study on your biome. (Climate, wildlife, etc.) You may use the web to do this. Don’t forget your textbook! Record you research on a sheet of paper, and be sure to cite your sources.
  4. After each member has researched his or her field of study, you will be given time to come together to teach each other what you learned through your research, so you will all be experts on your biome.
  5. Work together to develop a presentation poster (time permitting: PowerPoint or Prezi)
  6. Be prepared to give a short presentation to fellow classmates and make your claim about why your biome should be given the IBC grant.

Rubric

Excellent
4 / Proficient
3 / Fair
2 / Poor
1
Content / Content includes a detailed and thorough description of the biome and all required information from each biologist. All information is cited and supported by graphics and models. / Content includes a fairly detailed and thorough description of the biome and all the required information from each biologist. All information is sited and supported by some graphics and models. / Content includes a description of the biome, but is not detailed. Only some of the required information from each biologist is provided. Not all information is cited, and there are few graphics and models. / Content lacks a description of the biome. Little to no information is provided by each biologist. Information is not cited, and little to no graphics and models are provided.
Graphics/ models / The team provides a map of their biome, multiple pictures/ images of the biome and organisms that live there. The team provides an energy pyramid and a food web that exists in that biome. / The team provides a map of their biome, and some pictures/images of the biome and organisms that live there. The team provides an energy pyramid and food web that exists in that biome. / The team provides a map of their biome, but little pictures/ images of that biome and organisms that live there. The team provides only model (energy pyramid or food web) / The team does not provide a map of their biome have little to no pictures/ images. The team does not provide any models.
Presentation / Presentation is well organized, includes excellent content, pictures, and models. Student shows strong knowledge about his/her biome, and makes a strong claim for the IBC grant. / Presentation is well organized, includes good content, pictures, and models. Student shows decent knowledge and his/her biome, and makes a claim for the IBC grant. / Presentation is a little disorganized, includes fair content, pictures, and models. Student shows average knowledge about his/her biome, and makes a weak claim for the IBC grant. / Presentation is disorganized, includes poor content, pictures, and models. Student shows little to no knowledge about his/her biome and lack a claim for the IBC grant.
Teamwork / Students demonstrated respectful and cooperative work at all times. Each member contributed and participated equally on the project. / Students demonstrated respectful and cooperative work most of the time. Most members contributed and participated on the project. / Students demonstrated respectful and cooperative work only some of the time. Some members contributed and participated on the project. / Students did not demonstrate respectful and cooperative work. Members did not contribute and participate equally on the project.

List of Biomes and Websites

Biomes: Tundra, Tropical Rainforest, Grassland, Temperate Forest (Deciduous Forest), Taiga (Evergreen Coniferous Forest, Boreal), Desert, Freshwater, & Marine

Useful Websites

The World’s Biomes

Tour of Biomes

Boundless Biomes

Rainforest

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Taiga (Evergreen Coniferous Forest, Boreal Forest)

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Wetlands

Biome Map

The following graphic shows a simplified version of many of the biomes found across the world.