Biome Diorama Project

BIOME DIORAMA PROJECT

Name ______Due Date:______

Introduction: Biomes are ecosystems that are characterized by their temperature, precipitation, vegetation and geographical location. Examination of abiotic factors can be used to predict and explain the presence of biotic organisms that are found in a particular biome.

Objectives:

-To learn about the ecology of a terrestrial or aquatic biome.

-To create an informative visual aid that be used to teach others about a particular biome.

-To create a table describing certain features about your particular biome.

Procedure:

1.Under the direction of your teacher, choose a biome for your diorama research project.

2.Research project using the Internet (class time will be provided).

3.Obtain a shoe box.

4.Cut a rectangular hole in one of the long ends of your shoebox.

5.Depict the following inside your shoebox (using photos cut from magazines, 3-D forms made of clay or modeling foam, or any crafty materials) and list them on the following page:

-THREE major types of autotrophs/producers

-THREE major types of herbivores/omnivores

-TWO major types of carnivores

-ONE major type of scavenger/decomposer

-The abiotic components (rocks, sun, clouds, soil,

water, etc) of this particular biome

6.In the table on the following page, indicate the following:

1. Describethe locations in which your biome is found

1. Describe the abiotic factors associated with this biome such as temperature, wind, moisture, soil type, latitude, elevation, topography, etc.

1. Draw a diagram depicting a food web using the organisms in your diorama.
2. Graph a climatograph of the biome
3. Make a food pyramid using images of plants and animals ofthe biome

7.Cut the table out and paste it to the inside of your shoebox lid.

** DO NOT let the form of the art you use limit the scientific quality of your project. For example, if you are unable to find pictures that depict your biome, then draw or model them with clay.

LOCATION OF BIOME IN THE WORLD
ABIOTIC FACTORS: (temperature, elevation, wind, moisture, topography, soil type, latitude, etc)
AUTOTROPHS
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______ / HERBIVORES/OMNIVORES
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______ / CARNIVORES
1. ______
2. ______ / SCAVENGER/DECOMPOSER
1. ______
FOOD WEB OF BIOME ORGANISMS (9 in all)

 Don’t forget to cut out the table above and paste it to the inside of your shoebox cover! 

Bonus marks: Find an article that describes a human impact currently occurring in the biome

Human Impacts on Your biome

Identify the effects of the following actions on your biome

Deforestation:

Agriculture:

Resource exploitation

RUBRIC for Biorama

CATEGORY / 40 / 30 / 20 / 10
Scientific Knowledge
40 points total / Explanations by all group members indicate a clear and accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications. / Explanations by all group members indicate a relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications. / Explanations by most group members indicate relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications. / Explanations by several members of the group do not illustrate much understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.
Construction –Materials
40 pointstotal / Appropriate materials were selected and creatively modified in ways that made them even better. / Appropriate materials were selected and there was an attempt at creative modification to make them even better. / Appropriate materials were selected and used. No creative modifications were made to improve upon the product. / Inappropriate materials were selected and contributed to a product that performed poorly.
Function/ Construction - Care Taken
40 points total / Structure functions extraordinarily well, holding up under atypical stresses. Great care taken in construction process – structure is neat, attractive and follows plans accurately / Structure functions well, holding up under typical stresses. Construction is careful and fairly accurate, 1-2 details could have been refined for a more attractive product. / Structure functions pretty well, but deteriorates under typical stresses. Construction accurately followed the plans, but 3-4 details could have been refined for a more attractive product. / Fatal flaws in function with complete failure under typical stresses. Construction appears careless or haphazard. Many details need refinement for a strong or attractive product.
Requirements
80 points total / The structure meets all requirements listed including: location, abiotic factors, and all organisms identified correctly. Food web is constructed correctly using organisms identified in biome / The structure meets most requirements listed including: location, abiotic factors and most organisms identified correctly. Food web is mostly accurate using organisms identified in biome. / The structure is missing several requirements listed including: location, some abiotic factors, and some organisms identified correctly. Food web is somewhat accurate using organisms identified in biome / Only a few requirements were covered in the structure including: little about the location, few abiotic factors, and few organisms identified correctly. Food web is poorly constructed using few organisms identified in biome