INV 22-1 Biome Distribution Lab'07

In this lab you will investigate the relationship between the amount of rainfall and the variance of temperature and the effect on the distribution of biomes globally. This exercise provides practice in associating climate (as expressed in monthly averages of precipitation and temperature) with biomes.

Below, are nine example climatograms, grids on which averages of precipitation and temperature at a particular location are graphed. These climatograms show variations in only two important climatic factors during a year. Although, other factors may greatly affect climate, a climatogram provides enough information to identify a biome from which the data were obtained. We will graph the last climatogram together to make sure that you have one completed properly. After we graph the last of the 10, you will use these 10 identified biomes to analyze a total of 9 unknown biomes. In order to accomplish this, each student will complete 3 climatograms of the unknowns. When all climatograms are completed, students should work in their lab groups to complete the activity.

Tropical Rain Forest: Manokwari, New Guinea

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 27.8 / 27 / 31.5 / 28.5 / 19.7 / 21.4 / 15.8 / 13.7 / 12.4 / 11 / 16.8 / 27
T: / 31 / 31 / 31 / 31.9 / 31.9 / 31.7 / 31.7 / 31.7 / 31.7 / 31.8 / 31.8 / 31.6

Each student should now graph 3 of the unknown biomes letters A through I. As a lab group, all 9 biomes should be graphed.

UNKNOWN A

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 8.1 / 7.6 / 8.9 / 8.4 / 9.2 / 9.9 / 11.2 / 10.2 / 7.9 / 7.9 / 6.4 / 7.9
T: / 1.1 / 1.7 / 6.1 / 12.2 / 17.8 / 22.2 / 25 / 23.3 / 20 / 13.9 / 7.8 / 2.2

UNKNOWN B

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 25.8 / 24.9 / 31 / 16.5 / 25.4 / 18.8 / 16.8 / 11.7 / 22.1 / 18.3 / 21.3 / 29.2
T: / 25.6 / 25.6 / 24.4 / 25 / 24.4 / 23.3 / 23.3 / 24.4 / 24.4 / 25 / 25.6 / 25.6

UNKNOWN C

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 1 / 1.3 / 1 / 0.3 / 0 / 0 / 0.3 / 1.3 / 0.5 / 0.5 / 0.8 / 1
T: / 12.8 / 15 / 18.3 / 21.1 / 25 / 29.4 / 32.8 / 32.2 / 28.9 / 22.2 / 16.1 / 13.3

UNKNOWN D

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 1 / 1.3 / 1.8 / 1.5 / 1.5 / 1.3 / 2.3 / 2.8 / 2.8 / 2.8 / 2.8 / 1.3
T: / -22.2 / -22.8 / -21.1 / -14.4 / -0.39 / 1.7 / 5 / 5 / 1.1 / -3.9 / -10 / -17.2

UNKNOWN E

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 3.6 / 4.1 / 4.6 / 6.9 / 8.1 / 6.9 / 6.4 / 6.6 / 8.9 / 5.1 / 5.6 / 4.6
T: / 11.7 / 12.8 / 17.2 / 20.6 / 23.9 / 27.2 / 28.3 / 28.3 / 26.1 / 21.1 / 16.1 / 12.2

UNKNOWN F

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 5.1 / 5.6 / 6.6 / 5.6 / 2.8 / 0.9 / 2.5 / 4.1 / 5.8 / 5.8 / 5.1 / 5.3
T: / 23.3 / 22.2 / 20 / 19.5 / 19 / 18 / 18 / 19.5 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 22

UNKNOWN G

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 0.3 / 0.5 / 1.5 / 3.6 / 8.6 / 9.2 / 9.4 / 11.4 / 10.9 / 5.3 / 0.8 / 0.3
T: / 17.2 / 18.9 / 21.1 / 22.8 / 23.3 / 22.2 / 21.1 / 21.1 / 20.6 / 19.4 / 18.9 / 17.2

UNKNOWN H

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 3.3 / 2.3 / 2.8 / 2.5 / 4.6 / 5.6 / 6.1 / 8.4 / 7.4 / 4.6 / 2.8 / 2.8
T: / -20 / -18.9 / -12.2 / -2.2 / 5.6 / 12.2 / 16.1 / 15 / 10.6 / 3.9 / -5.6 / -15

UNKNOWN I

J / F / M / A / M / J / J / A / S / O / N / D
P: / 1.5 / 1.3 / 1.3 / 1 / 1.5 / 0.8 / 0.3 / 0.5 / 0.8 / 1 / 0.8 / 1.5
T: / -0.6 / 2.2 / 5 / 10 / 13.3 / 18.3 / 23.3 / 22.2 / 16.1 / 10.6 / 4.4 / 0

Once all of the biomes have been graphed by your group, you will need to distinguish each biome by adding the name in the title bar after the colon (BIOME A: name). Make sure all lab partners names are at the top of the page. Answer each questionand complete the data chart in your lab book.

  1. How are the Tundra and Desert similar?
  2. How are the Tundra and Desert different?
  3. How are the Tropical Rain and Tropical Deciduous Forests similar?
  4. how are the Tropical Rain and Tropical Deciduous Forests different?
  5. Lawrence, Kansas and Nashville, Tennessee occupy similar latitudes. Why is one found in a grassland and the other in a forest biome?
  6. Which biome has the most rainfall?
  7. Which biome has the least rainfall?
  8. Which biome has the highest average temperature?
  9. Which biome has the lowest average temperature?
  10. Which biome has the most consistent year round temperature?
  11. Which biome has the most variable year round temperature?
  12. Explain 2 patterns you observein the different biomes.

BIOME / 3 Indicator Animals / Indicator Plant / 2 Characteristic
Tundra
Taiga
Deciduous Forest
Grasslands
Desert
Tropical Rain Forest