1. Biomes, Ecoregions and Sustainability

2. Why do we find different plants and animals in different biomes?
Plants and animals are adapted to live in their biome. They live within that certain climate.

3. Sustainability

4. Biodiversity contributes to sustainability of an ecosystem.
Sustainability means an ecosystem can continue over a long period of time
The healthier and more diverse an ecosystem is, the more sustainable it is

5. What are some biotic components shared by most biomes?
plants
insects
herbivores
carnivores
omnivores
scavengers
decomposers

6. What are some abiotic components shared by most biomes?
light
weather
soil
precipitation
temperature

7. What adaptations help organisms survive in different biomes?
Eating adaptations like teeth, claws, talons, speed, ability to fly
Reproductive adaptations like bright feathers, a pouch, noises
Hiding adaptations like camouflage
Protective adaptations like heavy fur, blubber, toxins or venom

8. How do adaptations help different organisms survive in different biomes?
Most adaptations help the organisms survive in it’s own biome and the conditions that exist there

9. How do different environments help to support different varieties of organisms?
The environment should supply food, shelter, water etc…
The organisms that are adapted to live in those conditions will survive

10. Would a microhabitat, such as the yard around the school, help to support organisms the same way a biome would?
There should be life in the yard because all of the basic essentials for life are there.

11. What have you learned that you didn’t expect about biomes?

12. What are some interesting facts about the biomes?

13. What are some of the relationships between biomes?
Sometimes certain plants and animals can live in more than one biome.

14. Could an organism from one biome adjust quickly to the conditions of another biome?
Not usually. They would not be adapted to another biome.

15. Biome Comparison
With the other students at your table, pick two biomes that are similar to each other.
Complete a Venn diagram comparing the two biomes.
Abiotic and biotic factors they have in common
Abiotic: Weather, landforms or other abiotic characteristics that the two biomes do NOT share
Biotic: plants and animals that the two biomes do NOT share

16. Biome Comparison
Now pick two biomes that are very different from each other.
Complete a Venn diagram comparing the two biomes.
Abiotic and biotic factors they have in common
Abiotic: Weather, landforms or other abiotic characteristics that the two biomes do NOT share
Biotic: plants and animals that the two biomes do NOT share

17. Think back to our demonstration with the paper squares.
When there is little biodiversity in an ecosystem________________________.
When there is more biodiversity in an ecosystem ________________________.

18. How does the variety of species within an ecosystem maintain equilibrium?
The more variety in an ecosystem, the easier the organisms can recover if there is a change in the environment

19. Frogs How would the ability to jump affect your survival?
How does genetic variation affect the population?

20. Biomes and Ecoregions
With your table partner, pick one of the biomes you researched.
Decide which Texas Ecoregion from earlier in the year is the MOST similar to your biome.
Create a quick chart showing the similarities between the biome and the ecoregion.

21. Biomes Ecoregions Desert Grassland Deciduous Forest Boreal Forest
Mountains
Marine
Pineywoods
Oak Woods
Trans Pecos
Gulf Coast Marshes
High and Rolling Plains
Edwards Plateau/Llano Uplift