Biome Report
A biome is a major biological community that occurs over a large area of land. Each biome is characterized by
particular environmental and geographic conditions such as precipitation, temperature, wind, soil conditions,
proximity to water, amount of sunlight and terrain. Tropical rain forests, for example, tend to be hot, humid,
seasonless, and biologically diverse whether they are in South America or Central Africa. In addition, different
regions in the same biome tend to support similar types of plant and animal life.
There is some overlap between biomes, but scientists usually identify 8 major biomes on earth:
● Polar (arctic, alpine)
● Tundra
● Taiga
● Temperate forest
(deciduous forest)
● Tropical forest (rain
forest)
● Desert
● Savanna (prairie,
pampas, steppe)
● Chaparral (scrub,
temperate grassland)
● Freshwater
● Marine
You will be responsible for researching one of these biomes and preparing a written paper that you will
describe in as much detail as possible. Be sure to tell us:
1. Where can we find your biome on earth? What are some specific examples?
2. What is the climate like in your biome, and why?
3. What sorts of animal and plant life can be found in your biome?
4. What are some of the environmental challenges that organisms need to overcome to be successful in
your biome?
5. What are some adaptations that have evolved in your biome’s organisms?
6. Any interesting facts and information you can include about your biome (the more the better!)
Researching Your Biome
During your research, you are required to use at least two two electronic (internet) sources, but the best
presentations will probably have more than the minimum. You will have class time to do some internet
research, but you will have to do additional research outside of class. The more information you have, the
more detailed your presentation will be. Make sure you keep a list of all sources used during your research
since you will be turning a bibliography in with your report!
Here are some Internet web sites about biomes which you can use as a starting point for your electronic
sources:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/terrestrial.html
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Biome
http://pc65.frontier.osrhe.edu/hs/science/biome1.htm
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html
http://redbaron.bishops.ntc.nf.ca/wells/biomes/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Laboratory/Biome/
