WELCOME TO THE BIOMES WEBQUEST:
Introduction
A biome is a major geographical region, composed of plants and animals that are adapted to the region's physical environment, including weather and climate. The biomes that will be studied in this Webquest are:
Desert, Temperate Grassland, Tropical Rainforest, Taiga, Temperate Forest, Ocean, Wetland, Freshwater, Chaparral, Temperate Rainforest and Tundra.
Task
You will be assigned with your group the job of researching one of these biomes. You are a member of the "Chamber of Commerce" for your biome. Your job is to provide information about your biome and enlighten people about the what kind of things they can see there. You can work individually or in teams of 2. Find out the following information about your biome:
BIOME QUESTIONS:
Process
Visit the web resources to find information about your biome. Record your information on the Biome Project Note Sheet as you go.
As you research, you may begin to work on an power point presentation or other approved presentation technique to provide information about your biome and to encourage people to visit your biome. Your presentation will be given to your classmates and shouldn't take more than five minutes. Classmates will take notes on your presentation to prepare for their assessment. Each member of the team should be responsible for at least two slides in the presentation. The presentation should consist of:
Powerpoint Slide Arrangement...
Once you have created your presentation, you will need to decide how you will present it. Divide up the presentation information and practice before you present to the whole class.
Resources
Use the resources below, or try your luck on the web searching using Google...
General Information
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/index.htm
http://www.allaboutnature.com/biomes/pond/pondlife.shtml
http://rmhs.dist214.k12.il.us/classes/lepbilscience/biome.html
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/index.htm
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html
(If you get a window asking for a password, click on "Cancel")
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Laboratory/Biome/
http//www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/habitat/habitat.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/index.html
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/B/Biomes.html
http://www.worldbiomes.com/
Citing Sources
http://www.classroom.com/community/connection/howto/citeresources.jhtml
http://www.yahooligans.com/tg/citation.html
Maps
http://www.graphicmaps.com/clipart.htm
Specific Biomes
DESERTS
http://miragemall.com/desertjpegs/imagesf.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/deserts.html
http://www.desertusa.com/life.html
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/desert/
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert.htm
What's it like in Desert Biomes: http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/desert/index.htm
World Biomes: Deserts: http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_desert.htm
TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/grasslan.html
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/grasslnd/
http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/grassland/
http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/grassland.htm
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm
TROPICAL RAIN FOREST
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm
http://www.shs.org/rainforest/rainforest.html
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/modules/ecosystems_biomes/biomes_tropical_forests_page_1.html
http://www.cln.org/themes/tropical_rainforests.html
http://www.hesd.k12.ca.us/resource/biomes/rain.htm
TAIGA
http://www.cln.org/themes/tropical_rainforests.html
http://www.hesd.k12.ca.us/resource/biomes/rain.htm
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/taiga/taiga.html
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm
http://www.radford.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/taiga/taiga.html
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html
http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids/biomes/taiga.htm
TUNDRA
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/tundra.html
http://www.radford.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html
http://www.thinkquest.org/library/site_sum.html?tname=C0113340&url=C0113340/text/biomes/biomes.tundra.html
http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/tundra3/tundra3.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/tundra/tundra.shtml
TEMPERATE FOREST
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/main.php%3fsection=biomes&topic=tempforest?tqskip1=1
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep8c.htm
http://www.snowcrest.net/freemanl/world/biomes/temp.htm
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/k4/biomes/Boverview2.html
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_forest.htm
OCEANS
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/marine.php
http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_aquatic.htm
http://www.aresearchguide.com/biomes.html#aquatic
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/MARINE.html
FRESHWATER LAKES, PONDS & STREAMS
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/freshwater.php
http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/freshwater.html
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/biomewater.htm
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Freshwater_biomes
CHAPARRAL
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral.htm
http://www2.kpr.edu.on.ca/cdciw/biomes/chaparral.htm
http://www.mdia.org/plant_communities/hard_chaparral.htm
http://www.mdia.org/plant_communities/soft_chaparral.htm
FRESHWATER WETLANDS
http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/freshwaterwetlands.html
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/wetlands.html
http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/wetlands/index.htm
http://42explore.com/wetland.htm
http://www.geography4kids.com/files/water_wetlands.html
CORAL REEFS
http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/coralreef.html
http://www.coral-reef-info.com/coral-reef-biome.html
http://www.coralrealm.com/
http://www.coral-reef-info.com/
TEMPERATE RAIN FOREST
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/temprain.htm
http://www.world-builders.org/lessons/less/biomes/rainforest/temp_rain/temprain.htmlhttp://www.melodyshaw.com/files/TempRain.pdf
http://relly19.tripod.com/
http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/temperate-rain-forests.htm
Evaluation
A biome is a major geographical region, composed of plants and animals that are adapted to the region's physical environment, including weather and climate. The biomes that will be studied in this Webquest are:
Desert, Temperate Grassland, Tropical Rainforest, Taiga, Temperate Forest, Ocean, Wetland, Freshwater, Chaparral, Temperate Rainforest and Tundra.
Task
You will be assigned with your group the job of researching one of these biomes. You are a member of the "Chamber of Commerce" for your biome. Your job is to provide information about your biome and enlighten people about the what kind of things they can see there. You can work individually or in teams of 2. Find out the following information about your biome:
BIOME QUESTIONS:
- Climate and Weather (annual high & low temps, average precipitation, types of weather)
- Animals (important endangered and non-endangered species, top predators of the area, important animals that local populations depend on)
- Vegetation (major trees, shrubs, plants, crops, important plants local populations depend on)
- Topography (mountains, rivers, forests, grasslands, mix of many? )
- Geographic Location (Latitude, major countries where biome is found, map showing location)
- Places of interest (attractions, places that people interested in nature might want to see, key landmarks)
- Importance of biome to world (what might happen if your biome didn't exist?)
Process
Visit the web resources to find information about your biome. Record your information on the Biome Project Note Sheet as you go.
As you research, you may begin to work on an power point presentation or other approved presentation technique to provide information about your biome and to encourage people to visit your biome. Your presentation will be given to your classmates and shouldn't take more than five minutes. Classmates will take notes on your presentation to prepare for their assessment. Each member of the team should be responsible for at least two slides in the presentation. The presentation should consist of:
Powerpoint Slide Arrangement...
- A title slide with the name of your biome, alternate names to your biome, and the team members
- A slide telling & showing where the biome is located
- A climate/weather slide
- A slide (or slides) about major animals w/pictures
- A slide (or slides) about vegetation w/pictures
- A slide about major topography
- Slides showing/describing places of interest
- A slide (or slides) answering the importance of your biome
- A bibliographic slide citing your sources
- (Photos should accompany all data on all slides to help support information and gain interest in topic)
Once you have created your presentation, you will need to decide how you will present it. Divide up the presentation information and practice before you present to the whole class.
Resources
Use the resources below, or try your luck on the web searching using Google...
General Information
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/index.htm
http://www.allaboutnature.com/biomes/pond/pondlife.shtml
http://rmhs.dist214.k12.il.us/classes/lepbilscience/biome.html
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/index.htm
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html
(If you get a window asking for a password, click on "Cancel")
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Laboratory/Biome/
http//www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/habitat/habitat.html
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/index.html
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/B/Biomes.html
http://www.worldbiomes.com/
Citing Sources
http://www.classroom.com/community/connection/howto/citeresources.jhtml
http://www.yahooligans.com/tg/citation.html
Maps
http://www.graphicmaps.com/clipart.htm
Specific Biomes
DESERTS
http://miragemall.com/desertjpegs/imagesf.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/deserts.html
http://www.desertusa.com/life.html
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/desert/
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert.htm
What's it like in Desert Biomes: http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/desert/index.htm
World Biomes: Deserts: http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_desert.htm
TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/grasslan.html
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/grasslnd/
http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/grassland/
http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/grassland.htm
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm
TROPICAL RAIN FOREST
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm
http://www.shs.org/rainforest/rainforest.html
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/modules/ecosystems_biomes/biomes_tropical_forests_page_1.html
http://www.cln.org/themes/tropical_rainforests.html
http://www.hesd.k12.ca.us/resource/biomes/rain.htm
TAIGA
http://www.cln.org/themes/tropical_rainforests.html
http://www.hesd.k12.ca.us/resource/biomes/rain.htm
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/taiga/taiga.html
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm
http://www.radford.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/taiga/taiga.html
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html
http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids/biomes/taiga.htm
TUNDRA
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/tundra.html
http://www.radford.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html
http://www.thinkquest.org/library/site_sum.html?tname=C0113340&url=C0113340/text/biomes/biomes.tundra.html
http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/tundra3/tundra3.html
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/tundra/tundra.shtml
TEMPERATE FOREST
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/main.php%3fsection=biomes&topic=tempforest?tqskip1=1
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep8c.htm
http://www.snowcrest.net/freemanl/world/biomes/temp.htm
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/k4/biomes/Boverview2.html
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_forest.htm
OCEANS
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/marine.php
http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_aquatic.htm
http://www.aresearchguide.com/biomes.html#aquatic
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/MARINE.html
FRESHWATER LAKES, PONDS & STREAMS
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/freshwater.php
http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/freshwater.html
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/biomewater.htm
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Freshwater_biomes
CHAPARRAL
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral.htm
http://www2.kpr.edu.on.ca/cdciw/biomes/chaparral.htm
http://www.mdia.org/plant_communities/hard_chaparral.htm
http://www.mdia.org/plant_communities/soft_chaparral.htm
FRESHWATER WETLANDS
http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/freshwaterwetlands.html
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/wetlands.html
http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/wetlands/index.htm
http://42explore.com/wetland.htm
http://www.geography4kids.com/files/water_wetlands.html
CORAL REEFS
http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/coralreef.html
http://www.coral-reef-info.com/coral-reef-biome.html
http://www.coralrealm.com/
http://www.coral-reef-info.com/
TEMPERATE RAIN FOREST
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/temprain.htm
http://www.world-builders.org/lessons/less/biomes/rainforest/temp_rain/temprain.htmlhttp://www.melodyshaw.com/files/TempRain.pdf
http://relly19.tripod.com/
http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/temperate-rain-forests.htm
Evaluation