Ecosystem Project Resources

 

Ecosystem Project Resources

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Electronic Resources

 
Internet Resources




"Biomes--Living Worlds" 
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/text/impact/impact.tundra.environment.warming.html

Use this website to find out about the environmental issues facing your ecosystem.


"Around the World." A Biome Virtual FieldTrip. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr 2010.

<http://www.harlingen.isd.tenet.edu/tif/hhs/biome.html>.

This virtual field trip provides links for you to explore your biome.  Try clicking on “Where to Begin” to get a list of sites to visit.

 
 

Barone, Toni, and Shelly Luke. "Biome Resources." Biomes of the World. Network for Instructional TV,

n.d. Web. 5 Apr 2010. <http://www.teachersfirst.com/lessons/biomes/biomes.html>.
 
This site provides a quick summary of each biome, so it’s a good starting point for your project.  Click on Web Resources to find links to even more great research information.

  

"Biomes of the World." Biology Concepts. The Wild Classroom, 2003. Web. 11 Apr 2010.

<http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/index.html>.


Choose your biome from the world map or the menu on the left.  Then, scroll down to learn more about the climate, precipitation, vegetation, and more!  Some of the biomes even have short podcast videos so you can see them up close!  Some have links to more information.

  

"Biomes of the World." Marietta College Department of Biology and Environmental Science. Marietta

College, n.d. Web. 7 Apr 2010. <http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/biome_main.htm >.


Graphs, tables, maps, and diagrams make this site a wealth of easy-to-find data about each biome.  Click on the color-coded map to find information about each biome, including climate, plants, animals, threats, and many, many beautiful pictures!

  

Biomes Group, . "The World's Biomes." University of California Museum of Paleontology. University of

California, April 2004. Web. 5 Apr 2010.

<http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/>.


This page groups biomes into five major types: aquatic, deserts, forests, grasslands, and tundra.  These will give you detailed descriptions of the conditions in your assigned ecosystem.  Read slowly and take notes…this is high level information!

 

Col, Jeanandra. "Biomes-Habitats." EnchantedLearning.com. Enchanted Learning, n.d. Web. 5

Apr 2010. <http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/>.


This easy-to-read website from Enchanted Learning has facts about each biome, plus many pictures of animals!  Check out the table to learn about the water, temperature, soil, plants, and animals of the world’s biomes. Then, click on your assigned biome to get more in-depth information for your report and model.

 

Ciucci, Mary, Colleen McCartney, and Amy Warren. "Biome Basics." University of Richmond, 1997.

Web. 7 Apr 2010.

<http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webunits/biomes/biomes.html>. 


Use this site to learn about the climate, plants, and animals of each biome, along with interesting facts.  Links to other sites are also provided.

 
"Culture Quest World Tour." ipl2. Drexel University, 2009. Web. 11 Apr 2010.

<http://www.ipl.org/div/cquest/index.html>.

 Love this site from the Internet Public Library for your social studies information!  Read a definition of culture, then click on your country for information about holidays, museums, games, crafts, and even recipes!

 

"Ecosystems of the World." Save Our Earth. Think Quest, n.d. Web. 8 Apr 2010.

<http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/ecosystems.htm>.


Read descriptions of the terms biome and ecosystem.  Then, click on an ecosystem to learn more.  You can even hear sound effects from each region!
 

ETE Team . "Biomes." Earth Floor. Wheeling Jesuit University, 28 April 2005. Web. 7 Apr 2010.

<http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html >.

This website is super user-friendly!  You will find the information clear and easy to understand.  Climographs provide information about each biome’s temperature and precipitation.

 

"Mission: Biomes." Earth Observatory. NASA, 14 Apr 2010. Web. 8 Apr 2010.

<http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/>.

This site from NASA was originally accessed through the KYVL.  Read about the biomes of the world; you can learn about precipitation, vegetation, temperature, location, and more.  Then, complete the “Missions” to test your understanding.

 

Smith, Trish. "A Search of the World's Biomes." Where in the World Are We From?. Warrensburg

Middle School, 27 May 2009. Web. 7 Apr 2010.

<http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/webquest/biomes/index.htm>.

This is a webquest, but you can skip the task. Click on the biome you want to learn more about.  You will find links to information and world maps showing the location of each biome.

 
"What's It Like Where You Live?." MBGnet. Missouri Botanical Garden, 2005. Web. 11 Apr 2010.

<http://http://www.mbgnet.net/>.

This might be your favorite research site!  Choose a biome or ecosystem by clicking on the picture.  Then, use the bar on the left to navigate the site; you will easily be able to find the information you are looking for, whether you need to learn about plants, animals, or the location of your biome.  Colorful pictures, graphs, maps, and bold print make this site one of the best you will find for your project!

Woodward, Susan. "Introduction to Biomes." The Virtual Geography Department. Radford University,

24 April 2004. Web. 5 Apr 2010.

<http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html>.

This site provides well-organized, detailed information about the biomes, including the climate, vegetation, and more!

 
"World Cultures." Countries and their Cultures. Advameg, 2009. Web. 14 Apr 2010.

<http://www.everyculture.com/>.

Use this website for the social studies portion of your project.  Choose your country from the alphabetical list.  Don’t try to read the whole thing—it’s long!  Instead, scan for headings like Food and Economy; Marriage, Family, and Kinship; Socialization; Etiquette; Religion; and Secular Celebrations.  Then, look for facts in each section to include on your poster or clue cube.


Videos from United Streaming

Biologically Speaking: Biomes of the World.  Audio Visual Inc., 2002. Full Video.  11 April

2010. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

 Title Description from United Streaming: This program introduces students to the seven major biomes: tundra, coniferous forest, temperate forest, rain forest, desert, grassland, and aquatic. Viewers explore the physical characteristics of each biome, from geographic locations and climate to typical plant and animal populations and the survival adaptations evolved by its organisms. Discover the effects on climate of latitude, elevation, and proximity to mountain ranges and oceans. Witness the broad variance in rainfall from one biome to another and how the abundance or lack of basic requirement affects all living organisms.

Biomes: Our Earth's Major Life Zones.  Creative Adventures, 1998. Full Video.  11 April

2010. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

Detailed Blackline Masters will ensure that all students have an in-depth understanding of the information presented in this video.  Title Description from United Streaming: "Biomes: Our Earth's Major Life Zones" defines and describes the distinctive communities of life that inhabit the unique regions of the earth, such as deciduous forests, tundra, taiga, tropical rain forests, deserts, grassland, and fresh and salt water environments. Sensational footage from around the world, original music, and interactive activities make this program an excellent, informative life science presentation.

 
Real World Science: Ecosystems and Biomes.  Mazzarella Educational Media, 2001. Full Video.  11 April

2010. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

Title Description from United Streaming: This program takes students on a journey to different types of biomes around the globe, from tropical rain forests, to mountains, deserts and the ocean. Live-action footage and colorful graphics teach students about different regions and climates, explain what an ecosystem is, and examine the impact living organisms and their environments have on each other. A terrarium project shows students how they can build their own living ecosystem.


The World's Biomes: Desert to Rain Forest. Audio Visual Inc., 1996. Full Video.  11 April

2010. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.

Title Description from United Streaming: This video provides information on the biomes of Earth. Students' knowledge is reinforced regarding the various physical factors that determine the climate of a biome, and, in turn, the types and density of life within a given biome.

BrainPop

  "BrainPop Search: Biomes." BrainPop. FWD Media, Inc, 2009. Web. 14 Apr 2010.

<http://www.brainpop.com/search/results.weml?keyword=biome>.


This link will take you to eight BrainPop videos that might be helpful for your project.  Start with “Land Biomes” and “Ecosystems” to get the basics.  Then, get specific with videos on “Desert,” “Tundra,” “Taiga,” “Tropical Rainforest,” “Underwater World,” and “Savanna.”

 

Resources from the Kentucky Virtual Library


"Coral Reef." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. World Almanac Education Group, Inc., 2002.

Web. <http://tiny.cc/476ic>.


Learn the basics about reefs, then learn about the different types of reefs around the world.  For more information about a specific type of reef, go to KYVL, KidSearch, and Encyclopedia before your enter your search term.
 

"Desert." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. World Almanac Education Group, Inc., 2002.

Web. <http://tiny.cc/u8fxg>.

This encyclopedia article from KYVL has general information about deserts, plus a table giving facts about specific deserts, like their location and size.  Learn about plants, animals, and land formations.  To search for more encyclopedia articles about a specific area, go to KYVL, KidSearch, and Encyclopedia before you enter your search term.

  
"Estuary." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. World Almanac Education Group, Inc., 2002.

Web. <http://tiny.cc/1a9wd>.

This encyclopedia article from KYVL has an excellent explanation of the conditions that create an estuary.  Reading this will give you the basic understanding to explore the topic further.
 

"Forest." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. World Almanac Education Group, Inc., 2002.

Web. <http://tiny.cc/9phap>.

Along with a general definition of a forest, this encyclopedia article from KYVL gives descriptions of eight different types of forest, from deciduous to tropical.  You can learn about pests and diseases as well as forests in the US and Canada.  To search for more encyclopedia articles about a specific area, go to KYVL, KidSearch, and Encyclopedia before your enter your search term.

 
"Grassland." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. World Almanac Education Group, Inc., 2002.

Web. <http://tiny.cc/hgf39>.


This encyclopedia article from KYVL has a great deal of basic information about the grassland ecosystem.   There are links within the article to more specific information.  To search for more encyclopedia articles about a specific area, go to KYVL, KidSearch, and Encyclopedia before you enter your search term.

  "Tundra." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. World Almanac Education Group, Inc., 2002.

Web. <http://tiny.cc/dh2bx>.

  This encyclopedia article from KYLV has a great definition of the tundra, plus informative sections on the climate, landforms, plants, and animals.  To search for more encyclopedia articles about a specific area, go to KYVL, KidSearch, and Encyclopedia before you enter your search term.

 
Print Resources: Books in the TCMS Library

 

Biomes Atlases Series: In addition to looking at the climate, plants, and animals of each featured biome, this series looks at the people and future of the biome.  This could really help you with the cultural part of the project you need for social studies!

 

Allaby, Michael, Robert Anderson, and Ian Crofton.  Deserts and Semideserts. Chicago, IL:

Raintree, 2003. Print.

(577.54 ALL)

Beatty, Richard.  Rivers, Lakes, Streams, and Ponds.  Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2003.

Print.

                                (577.6 BEA)

Day, Trevor.  Oceans and Beaches.  Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2003. Print.

                                (577.7 DAY)

Day, Trevor.  Taiga.  Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2003. Print.

                                (577.3 DAY)

Harris, Tim.  Mountains and Highlands.  Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2003. Print.

                                (577.5 HAR)

Hoare, Ben.  Temperate Grasslands.  Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2003. Print.

                                (577.4 HOA)

Jackson, Tom. Tropical Forests. Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2003. Print.

                                (577.34 JAC)

Woodward, John.  Temperate Forests.  Chicago, IL: Raintree, 2003. Print.

                                ( 577.3 WOO)

 

CultureGrams, 2006. World ed. Provo, UT: ProQuest Information and Learning Co, 2005. Print.

 

CultureGrams are great for the social studies portion of your project.  Find your assigned country or community in CultureGrams to learn about the local dress, customs, greetings, manners, politics, food, and much more!

                                (R 390 CUL)

 

Earth’s Biomes Series: Each of the following books describes the location of the featured biome, as well as characteristics, plants, and animals.  Full-color pictures, maps, and illustrations supplement the text.  Descriptive wording will assist you with your ecosystem poem.  

 

Warhol, Tom. Chaparral and scrub . New York, NY: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2007. Print.

(577.3 WAR)


Warhol, Tom. Desert. New York, NY: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2007. Print.

 (577.54 WAR)

 

Warhol, Tom. Tundra. New York, NY: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2007. Print.

                (577.54 WAR)

 

Warhol, Tom. Water. New York, NY: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2007. Print.

                (577.6 WAR)

Author: Patricia L. Calico
Last Updated: April 30, 2010