Transcript Gnomus Biome Animal Unit
Gnomus Ecology Unit: Biomes (Ecosystems) and Their Animals
By Dr. Nome Baker, Nicole Ng, Asya Grigorieva and Dr. Ruth Dusenbery © Gnomus@IMSLI 2009
About this Gnomus Ecology activity:
The following slides, if viewed in PowerPoint, should use the “Slide Show” format to enable the links. This brief example illustrates one of the interactive web-based games that Gnomus @ IMSLI is developing.
Each game will integrate math concepts with the science activities (in progress).
Find The Biome Click on the picture that fits this biome’s description:
Geography: Found world-wide Climate: Variable; water may freeze in winter Soil/plants: Often fertile soil below fresh water
(Keep score: 5 Points for the right choice)
Click for 4 new biome choices
Find The Biome Click on the picture that fits this biome’s description:
Geography: Near the equator Climate: Warm, humid (wet) Soil/plants: Rather poor soil; tall trees, vines
(Keep score: 5 Points for the right choice)
Click to start the Animal-Biome game
Find two animals that live in a FRESHWATER Biome Click on the pictures you think are the right ones.
(5 Points for each correct answer)
Adaptation game
Animal Biome Adaptations
Match the animal with the adaptations it has made to its biome:
Bonus Questions for class discussion: How do these adaptations help each animal survive?
Click to begin the Animal Biome Adaptation game →
(Keep score: 5 Points for the right choice)
Click on the adaptations that this animal has made to its biome.
streamline body; sharp teeth; fins.
• huge beak; • colorful; • wings; • claws.
gray scaly skin; amphibious; sharp teeth, long snout.
• earthy color; • warts on skin; • long tongue; • large hind legs.
• thick fur coat; antlers; hooves
Next animal’s adaptation (click)
(Keep score: 5 Points for the right choice)
The caribou lives in the arctic biome.
The adaptations you selected are needed by an animal that lives in the marine (open ocean) biome Go back and make another choice. [Click→]
The caribou lives in the arctic biome.
The adaptations you selected are needed by an animal that lives in the freshwater biome and on its shores.
Go back and make another choice. [Click→]
The caribou lives in the arctic biome.
The adaptations you selected are needed by an animal that lives in the freshwater biome and on its shores.
Go back and make another choice. [Click→]
You are correct! Score 5 points.
The caribou lives in the arctic biome.
The caribou’s adaptations helps it to compete for a mate, to defend itself, and to survive in the cold climate, and its often deep snow .
Find the adaptations to its biome made by another animal. [Click→]
The caribou lives in the arctic biome.
The adaptations you selected are needed by an animal that lives in the tropical rain forest.
Go back and make another choice. [Click→]
End of Gnomus Biome examples
In PowerPoint, the slide show ended with that simplified example of the
Animal-Biome Adaptation game
(“Match the animal with the adaptations …….”).
[Various adaptations of 40 animals from eight different biomes will be shown.]
Click to repeat viewing →
→
Take a closer look! This is The Grassland.
Geography:
It could be the same as the one you’re looking for.
Climate:
Does it vary as much as in the biome you’re looking for?
Soil/plants:
Does it have a fertile soil covered by water? Many grasslands and forests arose from the biome you’re looking for!
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/biodesert.php
Take a closer look! This is The Grassland.
Geography:
It is much more widespread than just near the equator.
Climate:
Not necessarily found in warm, humid climates, right?
Soil/plants:
Does this biome have a thin soil that supports tall trees and vines?
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/biodesert.php
Your right! 5 Points for you.
It’s a FRESHWATER Biome
Geography:
worldwide lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands
Climate:
varies with geo graphic location; in winter ponds may freeze, in early spring mountain streams are frigid
Soil:
usually fertile soil
Plants:
reeds, rushes, lilies, pondweeds, grasses, mangrove
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biome
Take a closer look! This biome is The MARINE TIDE POOL.
Geography:
There’s some overlap with the biome you’re looking for.
Climate:
Could be warm and always wet, but is it what you’re looking for?
Soil:
Is this sandy or rocky bottom what you’re looking for?
Plants:
Are algae and sea grasses the plants you are looking for in your biome?
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biome
Take a closer look! This is The Temperate Forest
Geography:
This biome is found in many of the same places as the biome you’re looking for.
Climate:
Does it vary as much as in the biome you’re looking for?
Soil/plants:
Does it have a fertile soil covered by water? The biome you’re looking for isn’t covered by trees, although certain trees can grow all around it.
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/biodesert.php
Take a closer look! This is The Temperate Forest
Geography:
This biome is definitely not found close to the equator.
Climate:
This type of forest doesn’t do too well in warm, humid regions.
Soil/plants:
The soil here is deeper and richer than in the biome you’re looking for. A different type of tree grows here.
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/biodesert.php
Take a closer look! This Biome is The Desert
Geography:
Is it the same as the one you’re looking for? Where would you travel to find a desert?
Climate:
Does it vary as much as in the biome you’re looking for?
Soil/plants:
Does it have a fertile soil covered by water? What kind of plants grow in the desert?
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/biodesert.php
Your right! 5 Points for you.
This biome is a TROPICAL RAIN FOREST
Geography:
near Equator, Amazon basin into Central America, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, West Africa
Climate:
warm and very wet all year; must remain frost free
Soil:
relatively poor, but leaf litter decomposes rapidly, replacing nutrients in the soil
Plants:
diverse; tall trees, woody vines, climbing plants, figs, plants that can live without soil (epiphytes) such as orchids and bromeliads
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/biorainforest.php
BIOME: ARCTIC TUNDRA
Snowy Owl
(Could this animal live in the FRESHWATER BIOME?)
Color:
white with some black on feathers Image Source: http://www.fws.gov/northdakotafieldoffice/images/snowy%20owp.jpg
More info: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/snowy-owl.html
Food:
small birds, rodents
Habits:
nesting, nocturnal, inability to move eyes
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
BIOME: MARINE (OPEN SEA)
Great White Shark
(Could this animal live in the FRESHWATER BIOME?) Image Source: http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/images/ccarchmyhd2.jpg
Color:
gray with white stomach
Go back to the Food:
fish, seals
Biome game (click home)
Habits:
keeps swimming in order to breathe More Info: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/great-white-shark.html
You’re right! 5 points for you. Great White Shark Marine (open sea) Biome
Image Source: http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/images/ccarchmyhd2.jpg
Adaptations:
streamline body, sharp teeth How do these adaptations help this animal survive? - Record your answer in your Learning Record. - Compare your answer with those of your classmates.
Go back to the Adaptation game (click home)
BIOME: TROPICAL RAIN FOREST
Toucan
(Could this animal live in the FRESHWATER BIOME?) Image Source: http://images.nbii.gov/guyra/nbii_guyra_p00142.jpg
Color:
black and white, colorful bill
Food:
berries, seeds, fruit
Habits:
tosses food up to eat; swallows food whole
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
More Info: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/toucan.html
BIOME: TEMPERATE FOREST
Black Bear
(Could this animal live in the FRESHWATER BIOME?)
Color:
black
Food:
Image Source: http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/blkbear/graphics/bear5.jpg
berries, insects,
Go back to the
honey
Biome game (click home)
Habits:
hibernates, active at night More Info: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/black-bear.html
BIOME: ARCTIC TUNDRA
Caribou
(Could this animal live in the FRESHWATER BIOME?) Image Source: http://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/divisions/kindergarten_g12/curriculum/Dene%20Kede%20Curriculum%20Document/Animals/captureclip258.png
Color:
brown and white
Food:
grass
Habits:
large herds, migration More Info: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/caribou.html
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
BIOME: FRESHWATER
Alligator
Your picked the right animal! (Score 5 points!)
Color:
green-gray
Food:
fish, insects, snails, mammals Image Source: http://www.usgs.gov/125/articles/images/herp_alligator.jpg
Habits:
relies on outside heat sources
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
More Info: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/american-alligator.html
BIOME: TAIGA
Wolverine
(Could this animal live in the FRESHWATER BIOME?) Image Source: http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/images/Portraits/Wolverine.jpg
Color:
brown and black
Food:
moose, dead animals
Habits:
lives in dens
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
More Info: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/wolverine.html
BIOME: DESERT (AND GRASSLAND)
Hawk
(Could this animal live in the FRESHWATER BIOME?) Image Source: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/IFWIS/ibt/userfiles/image/photos/800/red-tailed-hawk-in-flight--tom-munson.jpg
More Info: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/red-tailed-hawk.html
Color:
brown and white
Food:
small rodents
Habits:
nesting, some migrate for winter
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
BIOME: FRESHWATER
Toad
Your picked the right animal! (Score 5 points!)
Color:
usually dark green/brown
Food:
insects Image Source: http://www.fws.gov/Nevada/nv_species/images/amargosa_toad_large.jpg
More Info: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/cane-toad.html
Go back to the Biome game (click home)
Habits:
needs water to breathe
Sources of animal photos
All of the animal photos in this activity are copyrighted by the government sources indicated on each slide, not by Gnomus @ IMSLI. We are deeply indebted to these government sources for allowing the use of these photos for educational purposes as well as to Dr. R. Dusenbery for the donation of her biome photos.
Click to end the slide show
→