<p> BIOME Travel Poster/Brochure Extra Credit due 12/06/13</p><p>Biomes are the major regional groupings of plants and animals discernible at a global scale. Their distribution patterns are strongly correlated with latitude, regional climate patterns, and identified according to the climax vegetation type. The biome concept embraces the idea of community, of interaction among vegetation, animal populations, and soil. A biome (also called a biotic area or ecosystem) may be defined as a major region of distinctive plant and animal groups well adapted to the physical environment of its distribution area.</p><p>Assignment: Some SLHS teachers would like to take a trip this summer in order to experience the best that nature has to offer. Using digital media, your job is to prepare a “travel brochure/poster” for your biome, convincing them that YOUR biome is the best one to visit! Your project should include:</p><p>1. Type and Name of your biome [selections for type will be made in class] and Where your biome is located – country, longitude, latitude etc.</p><p>2. What the climate in your biome is like (average temperature and precipitation for each of the 4 seasons.) Interesting facts about weather/climate in your biome could go here. A climatogram [also called climatograph] will satisfy this requirement.</p><p>3. The “sights” or features of your biome a tourist would see. i.e. tell us about the typical topography of your biome and about the most common plants and animals [specific plants and animals!] that characterize your biome. This is where you should include the “meat” of the poster. You should be sure to talk about adaptations [a physical, behavioral or physiological trait] that plant and animals have evolved in order to live in this biome. [When you discuss adaptations, do not simply say “this animal has adapted to the cold” or “this plant has adapted to be fire resistant”, but tell us what the adaptation is: cold adaptations: they have thick fur, they hibernate, they migrate…etc. </p><p>4. Find two Endangered Species [one plant and one animal] that reside in your biome and discuss them. Why are they endangered? [Habitat destruction? Hunting? Other?] What is being done to protect those species? </p><p>5. Any characteristics of your biome that make it special or important [be sure to include the ecosystem services that your biome provides]. These services are things that the environment does to help us survive such as filtering water, fires providing nutrients to the soil etc.</p><p>6. What is the major disturbance in your biome? How does it help your biome survive?</p><p>7. Effects that humans have had specifically on your biome, and why they have had such impact.</p><p>8. Bibliography – on a separate page or slide Your Biome Travel Poster should include all of the above, and should be crafted so that it is in your own words: [i.e. DO NOT SIMPLY CUT AND PASTE INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET!!!]</p><p>SUGGESTED STARTING POINTS: http://mbgnet.mobot.org/ http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/ http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html http://www.natureserve.org/conservation/usSpeciesatRisk.jsp [info on biodiversity and endangered species] http://www.panda.org/resources/programmes/global200/pages/terra.htm http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/terrestrial.html [this will be useful once you’ve chosen your specific area]</p><p>You can get a lot of information on your biome from your textbook, from resource books in the library, and from the Internet. You must use at least 3 sources [at least one must be a magazine/journal article (can be an online journal) and one must be an actual book!] and you will turn in a Bibliography Page separate from your poster. </p><p>I am looking both for creativity/style and good information. I suggest that you use photographs or illustrations of some sort, but be sure to leave room for the details above, which are the most important aspect of the assignment. Biome Project Scoring Rubric</p><p>1. Name and location of biome (5 pts) a. Map, latitude and longitude, discussion of specific locations</p><p>2. Climate (20 pts) a. Climatograph or chart, brief description</p><p>3. Features of your biome (30 pts) a. Typical topography b. Common plants and animals c. How are they adapted to you biome (be specific)</p><p>4. Endangered Species (10 pts) a. One plant and one animal b. Why are they endangered? c. What’s being done to protect them?</p><p>5. Ecosystem Services (10pts) a. What does your biome do to help us survive? b. Ex: filter water, fires there help replenish nutrients to soil, storage area for nutrients like carbon</p><p>6. Disturbances (10 pts) a. What is the major disturbance? b. Is it manmade or natural c. How does it help or hurt this biome?</p><p>7. Effects of Humans (10pts) a. What is their impact on your biome?</p><p>8. Bibliography (5pts) a. Typed on loose leaf and taped to the back of your poster OR b. On a slide in you power point presentation</p><p>** The point values here are the ones that will be used to determine your final grade. All of the info above should be in your final project to be handed in during class on Friday December 6th. Remember that creativity will also be considered.</p>