MYP Biology 10 Activity

Biomes Name ____________________________

Objective: Understand the plants, animals and climate that characterize each biome of the world.

Site: http://mbgnet.mobot.org/ - Missouri Botanical Gardens

Browse each biome and fill out the chart below. A few examples for plants/animals is ok.

Biome Types of Plants Types of Animals Details & Climate (weather)

Rainforest In a rainforest there are Toucans, monkeys, jaguars,  High Humidity
orchids, ferns, bromeliads, sloths, tree frogs  High Rainfall
mahogany and kapok.  Warm and tropical
 Lush vegetation
Tundra In tundra, there are Polar bears, reindeer, Arctic  Cold and dry
mosses, lichens, dwarf foxes, musk oxen  Long and harsh winter
shrubs, and arctic willows.  Short and Cool summer
 Low vegetation
Taiga Pine, spruce, and fir trees. Wolves, moose, bears, lynx,  Same weather
snowshoe hares  Same winters and summers
 Coniferous trees dominate

Desert Cacti, succulents, Camels, snakes, scorpions,  Arid

tumbleweed, sagebrush. coyotes  Little rainfall
 Can be hot or cold

Temperate Oak, maple, birch trees. Deer, squirrels, bears, birds  Warm summers
(deciduous  Cold winters
forest)

Grasslands Grasses, Wildflowers. Bison, gazelles, prairie dogs,  Moderate

lions  Wet and dry seasons
(respectfully)

1. Describe the leaves of trees that live in the taiga.

Browse the site to answer
a. They have long, thin needles. They’re conifers (pine trees). the questions. They are in
no particular order.
2. How do trees in the taiga protect themselves from fire?
a. They have very thick, impenetrable bark. They also have cones that open when exposed to fire.

3. The changing of seasons is best viewed in which biome?

4. Second to the rainforest, which biome gets the most amount of rain?
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5. Identify the leaves below. (HINT: You will need to find the leaf ID section)

6. What is the main difference between a hot and a cold desert (besides temperature)

7. Name the four major deserts of North America.

8. What is the world’s largest desert?

9. In order to be classified as a “tropical rain forest” a forest must be located between what two Tropics.

10. Where can you find a rain forest in the United States?

11. What is the difference between arctic tundra and alpine tundra?

12. Relative to rainfall, the tundra is most like what other biome?

13. What are the three types of grasslands found in the United States?

14. What are the two largest lakes in North America?

15. What are the main groups of algae found in freshwater lakes?

16. What kinds of plants make up the “forests” of temperate oceans?

17. What is the longest river in the world?

18. What kinds of animals live in tide pools (see the shoreline biome link)

19. List two threats to coral reefs.

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20. Name the zone of the ocean that gets no light.