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Biology

Chapter 34: 8-18

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Homework

Biology Homework Chapter 34: Terrestrial Biomes

Homework


Reading Preparation

Textbook Assignment: Chapter 34: Biomes, sections 8-18.

Study Points

Web Lecture

Read the following weblecture before chat: Biomes

Take notes on any questions you have, and be prepared to discuss the lecture in chat.

Study Activity

Perform the study activity below:

Use the BiomeViewer at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute site to explore biomes, climate and diversity, and human impacts around the globe at different times.

  • Launch the BiomeViewer. The app will download to your browser and initialize variables.
  • Find your own geographic location on the map. You can use the search box in the upper left. Enter your city and state; if you run into a "Can't Find" response, enter the nearest large city.
  • Study the Biome report, especially the climatogram. Use the "More information" to expand tables and reveal more detail.
    • What kind of biome do you live in?
    • Based on the climatogram, what is your annual precipitation pattern? (rain in winter? summer? all year?)
    • Based on the climatogram, what is your annual temperature pattern? Does it have any relationship to rainfall?
    • How many reptile species are reported?
    • How many amphibian species?
    • How many mammal species?
    • Use the More information option to list the species found. Is your biome population rich? Species rich?
    • Compare your biome to the chaparral biome found in Southern California by selecting "compare", then clicking on the brown strip along the California coast. (If you live in the chaparral biome, compare it to the Temperate Deciduous Forest biome found through much of the US). How do rainfall and temperature compare? How do number of species compare? How do rainfall and temperature relate to species population and richness?

    If time permits, explore other biomes.

Chat Preparation Activities

Chapter Quiz

Lab Work

Read through the lab for this week; bring questions to chat on any aspect of the lab, whether you intend not perform it or not. If you decide to perform the lab, be sure to submit your report by the posted due date.