Click here for a high graphics version

By completing this activity, the learner will:

• Use clues and WWW 1) resources to learn conditions of biomes.
• Model these biomes on a "mountain model."
• Apply these conditions to a map of your school.

• Clay for "mountain model"
• poster board or butcher paper
• 3 x 5 biome label cards
• Map of your school
• Crayons
• Biome Detective sheet for each student (2) available here)

Mountains have greatly diverse climates due to altitude, their location on the land, latitude, and exposure to sun and wind. Adverse effects include exposure to sun, and drastic temperature changes. As one climbs a mountain, the temperature drops. The decrease in temperature as the altitude increases creates the vertical zonations of climate and vegetation called biomes. The latitude, or how far the mountain is from the equator, can also affect the vegetation. Every mountain is different; but because of these conditions mountains may include many of 3) earth's biomes. Animals live on the vegetation found in the biomes. Some animals may wander from one biome to another while other animals must remain in only one biome to survive. A great on-line resource is the Network Montana Project 4) Biome Resource List.

Exploration - Learning About Biomes

We can make a great simulation game where you learn about 4 different biomes: desert, forest, grassland, and alpine tundra. In the first part of the lesson, students learn by reading a description of the biomes and the plants and animals that live there (students need to list the different attributes of each biome, including the vegetation and animal life unique to each one). Instruct students to create "crib cards" that remind them of what they can find in each biome.

Hot Links for More Information
 

In this activity, students will create a topographical relief map of a mountain with a handful of clay.

Steps:

1. Create a mountain out of a handful of clay. Place the mountain on a piece of paper.
2. Trace around the bottom of your mountain.
3. Cut off a section of the mountain one inch above the baseline.
4. Separate the clay at the cut mark and remove the bottom one inch layer.
5. Put the remaining part of the mountain down on the paper and trace around the bottom of the "mountain" again.
6. Continue this process until there is no more clay.
7. Extension: Create a scale to show that the one inch layers represent a certain change in elevation on the mountain.
8. Extension: Create a 9) contour map of your school playground.

Concept Application - School Yard Biome Detectives

Instructions: Students should form teams and then investigate the school building and school yard to find examples of each biome (works great in the snow too) keeping records on their 10) Biome Detective Student Answer Sheet. 

Desert Biome

11)  Deserts have less than 10 inches of rain a year (QuickTime VR movie). They are very dry and have little or no vegetation. Plants and animals have adapted to the conditions of this dry environment. Plants have many roots that lie just underneath the surface of the soil to catch moisture. Some animals have special adaptations for living in the desert biome. Some of these animals estivate, or sleep during the heat of the day (to hold in moisture), and move about at night. Use the Biome Detective Sheet.

Other On-Line Desert Resources

• 12) Biomes of the World
• 13) Joshua Tree National Park
• 14) Odyssey in Egypt

1. Find 3 plants that live in the desert.

2. Name 2 animals that live in the desert.

3. Name 1 desert animal that sleeps during the heat of the day.

4. How much yearly precipitation falls in a desert?

5. Where would you find a desert biome on a mountain?

Desert Clues

A. Less than 10 inches of rain a year falls here.

B. In a very sunny spot . (usually on the south side when in Northern Hemisphere)

C. At a lower elevation due to lack of moisture at lower altitudes.

1. Find a place in your school that could be a desert biome.

2. Use the Desert Clues to help you.

3. Color the region orange on your school map.

4. Why do you think this area is a desert?

Forest Biome
The forest biome contains large groups of trees that grow close together. Their tops may overlap or touch and shade the ground. The forest biome is the most common type of vegetation found in the world and requires the most rainfall. Annual rainfall of 100 cm (about 40 inches) per year. Forests grow most often in the temperate latitudes in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. The forest has four seasons. Plants found in this biome include a wide variety of deciduous and coniferous trees. Because of the variety of plant life, an abundance of animals also live here.

Other On-Line Forest Resources

• 15) Deciduous temperate
• 16) Forest land distribution data for US
• 17) Taiga
• 18) Rainforests
• 19) Biomes of the World

1. Find 2 tree types in this biome.

2. Find 3 animals that live here.

3. How much precipitation will you find in a forest a year?

4. Where would you find a forest biome on a mountain?

Forest Clues

1. Lots of rain falls here; 100 cm (40 inches) each year.

2. Forests are often found on the north or west side of a mountain.

3. Forests are found at a higher elevation than the base of the mountain because more moisture is formed.

1. Find a place in your school that could be a forest biome.

2. Color the region green on your school map.

3. List one reason why you think this area would be a forest.

The 20) grasslands are known by names suchs as savannas, plains, prairies, and steppes at different places around the world. These areas get between 25-75 cm (about 10-30 inches) of rain per year. The plants include a variety of grasses. Most of the animals that live here are plant eaters.

Other On-line Grassland Resources

• 21) Prairiesource.com
• 22) Meadowbrook Prairie Restoration
• 23) Temperate Grasslands
• 24) Biomes of the World

1. Name 1 plant that grows in the grassland biome.

2. Name 2 animals the live on the plants in this biome.

Grassland Clues

A. Semi-arid area, 10-30 inches of rain per year.

B. May be found on the east side due to rain shadow effect.

C. Could be located above the tree line or below the forest.

1. Find a place in your school that could be a grassland biome. Use the Grassland Clues to help you.

2. Color the region yellow on your school map.

3. List one reason why you think this area would be grassland.

The alpine 25) tundra biome is the coldest biome found on earth. It gets very little moisture and most of the water comes from snow. It is a treeless biome mainly in the polar areas or high altitudes. The growing seasons are short and the soils are thin and less fertile than other vegetation zones. There are long frigid winters and brief summers. There is a layer of ground called permafrost because it is frozen all year. The weather is very severe and there are few plants. Animals hibernate, migrate, or live under the snow to survive the severe climate conditions. Some animals have special adaptations for climbing the steep rocky peaks and thick fur for the cold temperatures.

Other On-line Alpine Tundra Resources

• 26) International Tundra Experiment
• 27) Alaska Internet Travel Guide
• 28) ARTERI (Arctic-Alpine Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Initiative)
• 29) Northwest Territories (Canada) Vegetation Types

1. Where will you find the tundra or alpine biome?

2. Name one plant that grows in the alpine tundra biome.

3. Name one animal that lives in the alpine tundra biome.

Alpine Clues

A. Very cold temperatures so probably high in elevation (mountain peak).

B. A place that does not get much sun, perhaps on the north side.

C. Not much vegetation due to short growing season and thin soils.

1. Find a place in your school that could be an alpine tundra biome.

2. Color the region blue on your school map.

3. List one reason why you think this area would be an alpine tundra biome.

Portions of this activity are adapted with permission from the AIMS activity, Who's Home in the Biome, Critters ©1989 AIMS Education Foundation.