J3Biomes

Biome Bags

Introduction

Seven terrestrial biomes with unique biotic and abiotic characteristics are explored in this activity. The abiotic characteristics include precipitation, temperature, soil composition, sun light and human impact. Plants and animals, including human population, are the biotic characteristics to consider. The number of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available, predation, competition and abiotic factors. Abiotic factors include sunlight availability, temperature variations, and the soil composition. Predation and competition will also limit the size of populations. Humans have played a big part in modifying the ecosystem due to population growth, technology, and consumption of resources.

Objective

In this activity, students will explore ecology and biodiversity in terrestrial biomes. They will work cooperatively to research and share information to complete the Biome Jigsaw Chart. They will determine which biome is represented by the cards in the group’s bag. Students will also justify, in writing, the biome represented by the bag of cards.

Materials

1pkg/7sets of 30 Biome cards Drawing paper

World map Reference materials (textbooks, internet etc…)

Safety

Observe standard rules of laboratory safety.

Procedure

Part 1 – Create a Biome Jigsaw Chart

1.  The class will be divided into seven biome groups.

2.  Each group will be assigned one biome to research. The members of this group will become the experts for their particular biome and collect data to complete their section of the Biome Jigsaw Chart on page 2. Suggested websites listed below.

www.blueplanetbiomes.org ,

www.thewildclassroomco,

www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov

3.  New groups will be formed. The experts will be regrouped so that one member from each biome is present in the newly formed groups. There will now be seven members in each group. The Biome Jigsaw Chart on page 3, will be completed with the help of each expert.

4.  Each expert is responsible for explaining, describing, and teaching the characteristics of their biome to insure that each member of the group has the required information on all seven biomes.

5. The Biome Jigsaw should be completed before beginning Part 2.

Part 2 – Biome Bags

1.  Form new groups containing 3-4 members. Decide which team member will be the scribe, artist, and researcher(s).

2.  Receive a bag of 30 biome cards. Twenty eight (28) cards in the bag represent the types of organisms found in approximately one square mile of a particular biome. The number on front of each card represents the total of different species of that type of organisms in the biome. A zero represents species that are not present in the biome. Two (2) cards represent the amount of human involvement in the biome. Higher numbers on these cards indicate more human impact on or human population in the biome

3.  Sort and lay out cards into 4-6 categories of organisms.

4.  Based on the numbers and kinds of organisms shown on the cards, determine which terrestrial biome is represented by the cards in your bag.

5.  The scribe should write a defense of your team’s biome selection. Include the team’s rationale and supporting evidence from the cards in the team’s bag.

6.  The artist should draw a color illustration of the organisms in your biome. Label and color each of the organisms and land forms sketched.

7.  Researchers will use the internet or printed resources to determine areas of the world where the selected biome is located. Color these areas on the world map. Make a list of endangered species from this biome; include at least two plants, one mammal, one bird, and one insect.

8.  As a team, complete the chart on page 4 and answer all the questions.

Biome Jigsaw Chart

Biome / Location / Climate / Flora / Fauna
Tundra
Taiga
(Coniferous
Forest)
Tropical Rain
Forest
Temperate
Deciduous
Grassland
Desert
Chaparral


STUDENT DATA SHEET Name:______

Biome Bags Date: ______

Type of organisms / Number / Type of organisms / Number
Tall Deciduous Trees
Range 0-10 / Small Birds
Range 0-20
Tall Broad-Leafed Evergreen Trees
Range 0-25 / Medium Birds
Range0-20
Tall Coniferous Trees
Range 0-20 / Birds of Prey
0-10
Medium Deciduous Trees
Range 0-15 / Large Herbivorous
Mammals
Range 0-15
Medium Broad-Leafed Evergreen Trees
Range 0-20 / Medium Herbivorous Mammals
Range 0-10
Medium Coniferous Trees
Range 0-15 / Burrowing Rodents
Range 0-15
Short/Dwarf
Deciduous Trees
Range 0-10 / Non-burrowing
Rodents
Range 0-10
Short/Dwarf
Coniferous Trees
Range 0-10 / Predatory Mammals
Range 0-10
Bushy Shrubs
Range 0-20 / Amphibians
Range 0-25
Vines
Range 0-10 / Large Reptiles
Range 0-10
Grasses
Ranges 0-30 / Medium Reptiles
Range 0-15
Other Plants
Range 0-20 / Small Reptiles
Range 0-10
Social Insects
Range 0-30 / Herbivorous Arthropod
Range 0-70
Beneficial/
Other Arthropods
Range 0-65 / Predatory Arthropods
Range 0-50
Human Impact
Range 0-30 / Human Population
Range 0-45

1.  What is the code on your biome bag?

2.  What biome do you have? What evidence lead you to this conclusion?

3.  Fill in the numbers of the different species for each type of organisms found on your cards. The range is listed for each organism. What is the total number of different species for your biome (excluding the Human Impact and Human Population cards)?

4.  The higher the Human Population number, the greater influence humans have on the biome. Why is the human impact low or high in this biome?

5.  Which species do not exist in this biome?

6. Why do the species listed above not exist in this biome?

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