Part I: BIOME WEBQUESTName:

Flora and Fauna of major biomes

Explore the links at the following website and use the information to fill in the chart below

Biome / Typical climate/ description / Common
Plants / Plant
Adaptations / Common
Animals / Animal
Adaptations
Tundra
Taiga
(Coniferous Forest)
Temperate
Deciduous
Forests
Grassland
Savannas
Deserts
Tropical Rain
Forests

Ecological Cycles Webquest

Part II: Ecological Succession

Directions: Go to the following website to complete this activity.

  1. Using the first tab labeled “Succession”, define succession.

Primary Succession

Now choose the tab labeled “Primary Succession”

Using the “Temperature and Rainfall” slider control, select “LOW” temperature and then watch the animation.

  1. What creates the island at the very beginning (re-run the animation if necessary)?
  1. What happens with TOP SOIL and NUTRIENTS as time passes?(look at the topsoil and nutrient gauges)
  1. IN ORDER OF SUCCESSION, describe the sequence of ecological changes that take place on island:
  1. How much TIME does this PRIMARY SUCCESSION take when temperature and rainfall are LOW?
  1. Fill in the blanks: After succession, ______account for most of the vegetation on the island, leaving some ______, ______, ______and other plant life near the shore.

Now set the “Temperature and Rainfall” slider to MEDIUM and then watch the animation.

  1. How much TIME does this PRIMARY SUCCESSION take when temperature and rainfall are MEDIUM?

Now set the “Temperature and Rainfall” slider to HIGH and then watch the animation.

  1. How much TIME does this PRIMARY SUCCESSION take when temperature and rainfall are HIGH?

Secondary Succession

Choose the tab labeled “Secondary Succession”

Click the arrow to start the fire in the forest. This will trigger SECONDARY succession.

1. How are the TOP SOIL and NUTRIENTS changing during this secondary succession? (look at the topsoil and nutrient gauges)

2. What is the main difference between Primary and Secondary succession? Why does primary take so long?

3. IN ORDER OF SUCCESSION, describe the sequence of ecological changes that take place after the fire:

Part III & IIV: Carbon & Nitrogen cycles

Directions: Visit the following websites and answer the related questions. Your goal is to gain a better understanding of the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Background: We have learned that energy flows through an ecosystem. Organisms use it, store it, and lose it. Only 10% is passed on to the next trophic level. Matter doesn’t flow, it cycles. In order to have an indefinite supply of the molecules necessary for life, matter must be recycled. In biogeochemical cycles (including carbon, water and nitrogen cycles), elements are transported between the atmosphere, biosphere (living area), hydrosphere (water), and geosphere (rocks, minerals, and soils). These cycles help us remember that Earth is a complex system and that we must take care of what we have.

Part III: The Carbon Cycle:

Go to answer these questions.

Welcome toThe Carbon Cycle Game!!!!

You are the carbon atom. Once you were released from fossil fuels, where are you starting within the carbon cycle?

Click to begin your journey and answer the questions:

  1. How much of the atmosphere is made up of carbon dioxide?
  1. By how much has CO2 increased in the atmosphere during the last 150 years? What effect does this have on our planet?

As you work through this game, take some notes about where you go as a carbon atom. Make sure you visit all reservoirs!

  1. First stop =

What did you learn?

  1. Next stop =

What did you learn?

  1. Next stop =

What did you learn?

  1. Next stop =

What did you learn?

  1. Next stop =

What did you learn?

  1. Next stop =

What did you learn?

Part IV: The Nitrogen Cycle:

Go to and click on “GO” to start

Nitrogen gas (N2) is a form of nitrogen that cannot be used by most organisms. Nitrogen gas must be broken apart before it can be usable. Nitrogen fixation is the term used to describe this process.

  1. How can N2 be fixed in the atmosphere so that it forms NO-3?
  1. What happens to NO-3 once it enters the soil?
  1. N2 can also enter the soil, but it is still in a form that cannot be used. How do some plants, like beans, get their nitrogen?
  1. Some plants don’t have a mutualistic relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria in their roots. How are these plants able to get their nitrogen?
  1. How do animals get their nitrogen?
  1. How does nitrogen return to the soil?
  1. How does the Nitrogen return to the air? What is this process called?

Carbon CycleNitrogen Cycle

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updated 8/20/2011