Embedded Files
Why are the desert and the tundra grouped together if they are such dramatically different biomes?
This lesson explores the features of the dry biomes. It addresses the climate, location, soil, biological adaptations and human impact on these environments.
Given a map of the Earth, identify the climate zones and recognize patterns for distribution of biomes.
Dry Biomes
Deserts are found in belts along the Tropic/Temperate zone and within the rainshadow of mountains. Explain why deserts form in both of these locations.
How do changes in climate patterns and human activity influence the process of desertification?
Deserts may be “hot” or “cold,” but both types have similar soil qualities. How do the features of leaching and sediment transport impact the soil and act as limiting factors on life in the desert biome?
What features do succulents and other desert plants have to adapt to their climate?
Identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that are found in desert animals.
How do the climate and abiotic factors interact in the tundra to create permafrost, and why does this feature have such an impact on life (especially plants) in the tundra?
How have animals adapted to life on the tundra?
What features of alpine and polar biomes include them in the “dry biomes” category?
Warm Ups, etc:
Here Be Desert - review the location of deserts as they relate to latitude and geography
Chapped Lips (with dune formation, shape and video) - summarize the features of the surface of the desert (with additional information about the formation, movement and classification of dunes)
Lemming Beach Party - Using the example of one tundra organism, the features of the tundra environment and the biological adaptations are reinforced through the exploration of an individual niche. This also includes links to videos about lemmings and some of the historical framework of one of nature's myths.
Environmental Changes (d/g boundary) - examine the fragile border area that defines the separation of desert and grassland
Instruction, Presentations, Assignments, Activities, etc:
Biome Map - basic locations & features based on latitude
Notes - Deserts (Climate, Soil and Organisms)
Drawing - Desert - students create a picture that illustrate at least 5 desert concepts (including at least one each for climate, soil, plant, animal) - diagram can be labeled or have a key
Closure - Dry Biomes Chart - ( Blank / Master ) summarizes the key features of these biomes
Venn Diagram - Alpine and Polar Biomes - compare and contrast these two extreme biomes
Report abuse