Copy Ecoregions of Texas vocabulary into journal Create a foldable 12/2014 Copy Ecoregions of Texas vocabulary into journal Create a foldable

Texas Ecoregions Powerpoint

What is an ecoregion? An ecoregion is a large area of land that has a distinct group of plants and animals. Each of these plants and animals in the region have adapted to live in the conditions of that region. Organisms adapt to the weather, elevation, soil, and amount of water available.

Factors Affecting Our Ecoregions Weathering – chemical and physical break down of rocks into sediment Erosion – the movement of sediment from one place to another Deposition – the placement of sediment after being carried from place of origin

Directions for foldable: There are 11 different eco-regions of Texas. You are going to create a foldable that will help you remember at least five of the regions. STEP ONE: Label foldable with each region STEP TWO: under the flap for each region list information. (Precipitation, topography, elevation, dangers in the region, and any additional facts that you want to include) STEP THREE: Draw a quick symbol on the front flap of each eco-region that will remind you about that regions characteristics.

Five ecoregions of Texas Piney Woods Gulf Coastal Plains Edwards Plateau/ Llano Basin High Plains Mountains and Basins

Piney Woods

Location Conroe Huntsville Jefferson Longview Nacogdoches Texarkana Tyler

Plants, animals

Weathering, erosion, deposition It is the wettest region of the state. This allows for a high rate of plant decay to occur resulting in healthy, nutrient-rich soils. The topography is gently rolling to near flat throughout the region. Soils are somewhat poorly drained and streams are slow-moving.

The majority of economic activities involve the lumber industry and unless an area has been clear-cut of vegetation, the amount of trees and plants can prevent erosion.

Gulf Coastal Plains

Location Aransas Pass Beaumont Corpus Christi Galveston Houston Refugio Rockport South Padre Island Victoria Covers 1/3 of the land of Texas

Plants, animals The land along the Gulf Coast is very near sea level. It is hard for water to drain off the land, since there is nowhere lower for the water to go. Much of the coast of Texas is made up of marshes----wetlands where a variety of tall grasses grow.

Weathering, erosion, deposition Soil in the region is primarily sand-based. If there isn’t enough vegetation to keep the soil in place, rainfall received can cause severe erosion.

Small wave deltas form between the barrier islands http://texascoastgeology.com/passes/ccpass10-1-67c.jpg Small wave deltas form between the barrier islands

Sand dunes are a result of wind deposition

Catastrophic events such as tropical storms can increase wave erosion and deposition.

Edwards Plateau / Llano Basin

Location Austin San Antonio

Plants, animals

Weathering, erosion, deposition The shape of the hills in this region is rounded due to increased precipitation and chemical weathering.

Erosion by streams and rivers above ground has left most of the region with very shallow soils (less than 10 inches).

Central Texas' Flash Flood Alley is one of the most flood-prone areas nationwide. When rocks and soil can absorb no more rainfall, it gets carried off into a stream or at the bottom of a lake

Erosion below ground caused by water seeping through the porous limestone. It contribute to the recharge of the Edwards Aquifer

The Llano Basin gets its name from the granitic rock that is uncovered at the surface. There are several large thin sheets of rock that slough off. This is a form of mass movement (erosion)called exfoliation.

Extention/ TAG Batholith is a large layering of magma that cools slowly deep below the surface of the Earth’s crust.

High Plains [“Great Plains”]

Location “Texas Panhandle” Amarillo Lubbock Palo Duro Canyon

Plants, animals

Weathering, erosion, deposition Largest and most completely flat areas of it size in the world. It is subjected to high wind speeds. Higher elevation because the rocks don’t wear down easily.

Weathering, erosion, deposition Catastrophic events such as tornados can increase wind erosion

Extention/ TAG Weather Fronts

Poor land management, drought, and high wind speeds contributed to the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s

Palo Duro Canyon was formed by water erosion The water widens and deepens the canyon by moving sediment downstream

The canyon can have land slides

Mountains & Basins

Location El Paso Presidio Big Bend National Park

Plants, animals

Weathering, erosion, deposition The weathered bedrock in this area has high amounts of calcium As a result of erosion and deposition in the area, the soil has high amounts of calcium called caliche.

Weathering, erosion, deposition It is the hottest and most arid (driest) region of the state. Hot days, cool nights contribute to physical weathering of rock.

Alluvial fans of rubble, sand, and gravel build at the base of the mountains

Weathering, Erosion, Deposition This region also has salt flats, dunes and windblown sand.

Map Color Ecoregions of Texas Locate Rivers of Texas Locate Big Bend National Park Locate Cities of Texas Use Textbook page 680