Background: In studying environmental science, we will look at a variety of different factors, both biotic and abiotic, which influence living organisms and the biomes in which they live. From biology, remember that there are about eight general biome types - tropical rainforest, desert, coniferous forest, temperate deciduous forest, tundra, chaparral, grasslands, and aquatic (both oceanic and freshwater). However, these basic biome categories are simply generalizations, under which, there are many more specific biomes with unique features localized to particular geographic regions. Of course, the two dominant factors that predict biome types are precipitation and temperature, both of which are associated with the general climate of an area, which is primarily dictated by geographic latitude.
Directions: In this project, you will be responsible for constructing a PowerPoint presentation of seven to ten slides, including a bibliographic slide. Your presentations will also be presented to the class via a brief oral presentation. Please choose a biome from the list provided.
Your slides that you create must follow the format listed below, with specific content on the appropriate slides.
Slide 1 – List your biome of study, provide a small map of the area, basic latitude and/or longitude boundaries, and names of regions or country examples within your biome area.
Slide 2 & 3 –Research and describe the basic abiotic factors of your particular biome. This would include factors such as average precipitation, average temperature, wind patterns, soil composition or profile, dominant geographic features, solar radiation, or limiting factors.
Slide 4 – Research the internet and either find a climatogram very similar to your region, or make a basic climatogram by making a simple graph from any data you find in your research. Explain any seasonal patterns or general trends of your climatograms, and the special influences these localized conditions have on the adaptations of key plant and animal species of that area.
Slide 5 & 6 – List at least 5 major autotrophs, 5 major heterotrophs, and 5 decomposers or scavengers found in your biome area. Also, be sure to list any keystone species or species that have a particularly important cultural, economic or ecological significance.
Slide 7 & 8 – Describe the state of the particular biome area you are researching in terms of its preservation, degradation, or environmental status in general. Is it an area with deforestation problems? Are there national parks or nature preserves in the region? Are there specific dangers for the region that are likely to be seen in the future? Are there any current environmental problems that are problematic for the region today?
Slide 9 – Research and list any programs or groups that are taking a proactive role in helping to preserve the biotic or abiotic resources of your biome of study. These programs or groups may be very localized grassroots efforts, volunteer groups, privately funded preservation groups, or even government backed programs.
Slide 10 – Bibliography slide – When in doubt document your sources! Provide credit where credit is due. All citations should be done in MLA format.
Biomes
Ponds and lakes
Temperate grasslands
Streams and rivers
Arctic tundra
Wetlands
Alpine tundra
Oceans
Tropical grasslands or savannas
Coral reefs
Boreal forests (tiaga)
Estuaries
Temperate forest
Hot and dry desert
Tropical forest
Semiarid desert
Coastal desert
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Background: The earth in which we live and breathe is very complex. In this project, you will choose one of the many complex systems of the earth to investigate. You will be making a poster to illustrate and explain the complex system.
Once you choose your system, you need to research the system in great detail. Your poster should include at least three neatly drawn graphics that help to illustrate the topic. You will present your poster to the class while explaining what the system is, why it is important to our survival, and its effects on other systems.
Systems to Chose:
El Nino and El Nina
Global Wind Patterns
Watersheds
Soil Formation
Plate Tectonics
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Introduction: It is predicted that by the year 2030 that energy consumption will be greater than energy production. Also, many forms of energy that we currently use create considerable environmental concerns. In this project you will investigate one of the seven forms of energy we currently use. You will create a poster illustrating what the energy source is, how we harness the energy source, and the environmental concerns created.
Types of Energy
Fossil Fuels
Nuclear Power
Solar Energy
Wind Energy
Hydroelectric Power
Geothermal Energy
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Option A: Children’s Environmental Science Book
Choose one concept from the pollution units and develop a children’s book teaching young children about that topic. Your target audience should be kindergarten to third grade.
The book needs to include both words and illustrations.
You may use humor which is age appropriate.
Your book must be interesting to kids.
You must have a minimum of 18 graphics in your book and utilize six different colors. This may include drawings, paint, crayons, et. The picture has to help bring out the theme of the story. You will be graded on the quality of your graphic. You may not use any graphic cut and pasted from any source unless it is your own original photography. No graphic may be larger than 4.5 inches in width and height.
Your typing font must be a minimum size. Produce work no smaller than 12 Times New Roman font.
Your document may contain no spelling errors. You will receive a 1 point deduction for each spelling error.
Your book must have an illustrated cover with a “catchy title.”
Your book must be bound in either a report cover or a report binder.
Option B: Just a Formality
Formal ten page minimum paper or thirty-five plus slide Power Point presentation on any pollution topic. Note that the bibliography is not required for a PowerPoint presentation. You may not use over size 32 font in your PowerPoint and it must include at least fifteen cited graphics.
Option C: Video Option
Create a video (5 - 10 minutes in length) that showcases the wonderful world of AP Environmental Science. The intent is that this video will be used as a “recruiting” tool for future AP Environmental Science students, or to introduce AP Environmental Science at a future open house. Creativity and appropriate humor are encouraged, but the video must be firmly founded in the reality that is AP Environmental Science.
Create a second video (5 - to - 10 minutes in length) on a class/lab topic from the pollution units. You must provide a written transcript of two or more pages for the second video as well as citations.
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