Tracy Bell

SLM 521

Drop In #4

Biomes of the World

Biomes are large natural areas where certain types of plants grow. Biomes also include the animals that feed on the plants. The earth has more than 30 kinds of biomes. As we begin our unit on biomes you will learn all about the different biomes, the biomes in danger, and the animals and plants that are adapted to those biomes. Spend some time exploring the 5 sites below.

The World’s Biomes

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/

Enchanted Learning

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/

Fact Monster-Science

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0769052.html

Oakland Zoo

http://www.oaklandzoo.org/zoo/discover.html

Blue Planet Biomes

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm

After you read the information from each of the websites choose 2 biomes from the list below. Compare and contrast the biomes. Print out a Venn diagram. Be sure that the following information is included in your Venn diagram:

1. the temperature in the biome

2. animals that live in the biome

3. vegetation found in the biome

Now that you have completed the Venn diagram create a table that discusses why biomes may be in danger. Be prepared to discuss this information with the members of your group. The answers included in your table should come directly from the reading of the websites above. Site the address of the website used to verify this information. Your table may look something like this:

Example:

Forests People burn and clear trees for timber, firewood, and to make way for roads and houses. When the trees are cleared, forests and their wildlife disappear.	Arctic Tundra
Scrubland	Wetlands
Deserts	Deserts
Grasslands	Freshwater Biomes

After you’ve finished the table test your knowledge of biomes by matching the animals

with the biome they belong with. We will go over the answers at the next class.

	Grassland Temperate Desert Rainforest
	Grassland Temperate Desert Rainforest
	Grassland Temperate Desert Rainforest
	Grassland Temperate Desert Rainforest