Transcript Natural Systems - Algonquin College

Eco-Tourism:
A New Perspective on Travel
Travel Africa
Biomes: terrestrial climax communities
with wide geographic distribution.
Biomes describe what the world would
be like if people had not altered the
natural environment
Biomes
What does the word terrestrial mean?
Earthly: of the earth
What is meant by a ‘climax community’?
The community that eventually forms if
the land is left undisturbed. A maple
forest will always be a maple forest
without serious disturbances.
Why Biomes?
Biomes give us a great VISUAL of an
area’s natural factors
Biomes allow us to see an area WITHOUT
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Biomes show us areas with COMMON
FACTORS
Biomes do not rely on POLITICAL
BORDERS eg. Deserts
Deserts
Add these
notes to
your fill in!
Image from: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. World Geography Today. Revised Edition. Austin, TX: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1997.
Why Biomes?
The greatest reason for using Biomes for
this task, is that of RESEARCH. Once you
have established which BIOME(S) your
country includes, you can research all the
Biotic and Abiotic information you need!
Biomes
How have humans altered the
landscape in the last 300 years?
DEVELOPMENT
Human impact on the environment
Eco Tourism Plan!
What is Eco-Tourism?
responsible travel to natural
areas that conserves the
environment and improves the
well-being of local people and
environment.
Your Eco Tourism Plan!
You and your team have been selected
to represent one specific country along
the Small World Big Picture:
Expedition Africa route in the up
coming “Terrestrial Biomes Eco-Tourism
Adventure!” show.
Your Eco Tourism Plan!
You and your group are to research
your country and advertise both the
biotic and abiotic factors that are
present, and connect these factors to
examples of possible Eco-Tourism
opportunities that exist in this country.
Examples of Eco Tourism in
Canada!
The following is an example of a LEVEL 3
project that was designed for Biomes in
Canada.
You must decide where you would make the
necessary changes to receive a Level 5.
Please refer to the “Trip Planning Sheet”
and the Rubric for guidance.
THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
WHAT IS THE TUNDRA ?
The Tundra is a
remote, desolate area
between the northern
icecaps and the tree
lines of southern
Arctic regions. The
tundra is itself treeless
and it’s permanently
frozen subsoil
supports low-growing
vegetation such as
lichens, mosses and
stunted shrubs.
Understanding Permafrost
Permafrost occurs when a
layer of the earth called the
subsoil is permanently frozen
throughout the year.
Vegetation
Lichens
Mosses
Shrubs
Warmth-preserving
plants
Ground hugging plants
Wildlife
Arctic Fox
Caribou
Ermine
Lemmings
Grizzly Bears
Musk Ox
Polar Bear
Snowy Owl
Harlequin Duck
Summer Temperature
July and August make up the summer months
where the temperature never gets warmer then
45 or 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wind is always a chill factor as it blows
constantly in the summer.
Top layers of ice under the ground begin to
melt and create bogs and shallow lakes which
don’t drain.
Winter Temperature
Winters in the tundra are very cold and dry.
The sun barely rises leaving it dark for the
majority of each day.
Temperatures do not reach above 20 degrees
the Fahrenheit, the average being between –
20 degrees Fahrenheit and –30 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Precipitation
The tundra receives a mere 6 – 10 inches of
precipitation per year, which includes melted snow.
The tundra receives almost as little snow as some of
the world’s driest deserts.
The tundra seems to be a wet boggy place because
permafrost does not allow for drainage, however
high winds and cold temperatures make is one of the
driest places in the world.
Ecotourism
Canoeing/Camping
Tundra buggy
Canoeing is great on the many
Dog sledding rivers that run from the mountains
through the forests and across the
tundra. Tundra buggies provide
safe observation points form which
to view polar bears and walrus that
live in the areas of northern Ontario
and Manitoba. Dog sledding is also
an option in the snowy areas of the
tundra because of the flat surface.
Your Eco Tourism Plan!
1. Choose a group of 3 or 4 people.
2. Record your group members in the box
matching your country.
3. Complete the “Trip Presentation
Organizer”
4. Presentation (Due Date and Closure Date)
on __________________________
Good
luck!