Learning Material in Biology 8 Unit 2: Ecology
Name: Section: Score:
Worksheet 5: What makes a Biome?
Objective: Explain how the abiotic factors determine what life form can thrive in a biome.
Main Idea: Biomes are groups of ecosystems characterized by climate conditions and predominant
biodiversity. Other physical variables also influence distribution of plant and animal species.
Part I. Identifying Biomes from Climate Graphs
1. Study the data on the average rainfall and average temperature for 6 terrestrial biomes.
2. Construct six climate graphs that compare these two climatic factors. The precipitation should
be drawn as a bar graph with its label on the left y – axis, while the temperature should be drawn
as a line graph with it label on the right y – axis. Refer to the example below.
Image credit: http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/calcutta_Aw.jpg
3. For each graph, make sure to include labeled axes, a descriptive title, and a key/legend.
Table 1. Average temperature (C) and precipitation (mm) in 6 biomes throughout the year.
Month Temperate Desert Tundra Coniferous Deciduous Tropical
Forest Forest Forest Rainforest
°C mm °C mm °C mm °C mm °C mm °C mm
Jan 10 200 4 22 -28 10 -6 19 4 122 30.1 275
Feb 12 180 5 30 -27 10 -7 15 8 102 30 270
Mar 14 180 14 15 -23 0 -4 15 12 130 31 330
Apr 15 170 20 10 -14 0 4 10 16 90 31 281
May 17 130 24 10 -4 0 9 15 22 95 31 195
Jun 18 120 28 10 2 0 12 20 25 80 31 210
Jul 18.5 60 30 9 4 12 13 35 27 100 31 150
Aug 23 40 34 9 0 20 10 65 24 82 31 130
Sep 22 50 35 8 -6 20 6 70 20 70 31 129
Oct 18 80 30 11 -12 10 -2 50 12 62 31.2 90
Nov 14 120 20 15 -20 9 -8 22 8 85 31.3 150
Dec 112 170 7 20 -25 3 -11 20 4 102 30 270
Joahna Lei Cabreros. Manila Science High School. 2020-2021
Learning Material in Biology 8 Unit 2: Ecology
Joahna Lei Cabreros. Manila Science High School. 2020-2021
Learning Material in Biology 8 Unit 2: Ecology
Discussion Questions______________________________________________________________
1. Which of the biomes had the most and least amount of rainfall?
2. Which of the biomes had the coldest and hottest temperature?
3. What affects the temperature and precipitation differences among the biomes?
4. How would the scientists use the climate graphs?
5. How could the altitude (increased and decreased) alter a climate graph?
Joahna Lei Cabreros. Manila Science High School. 2020-2021
Learning Material in Biology 8 Unit 2: Ecology
Part II. Write and Share
1. Research about the terrestrial biomes assigned to your group.
Desert Deciduous Forest
Tundra Tropical Rainforest
Savannah Freshwater Community
Coniferous Forest Marine Community
2. Fill in the graphic organizer with information about the biome.
Biome
Description
Terrestrial Biome Aquatic Biome
Average Temperature Water Salinity
Average Precipitation Water Depth
Dominant Plants (List at least 4)
Dominant Plants (List at least 4)
Geographic Distribution Examples
(Shade the Regions on the Map) (List at least 3)
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA
3. Prepare a 2 – minute video recording to share your output to the class.
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References: Activity adapted from
Climatograms. Retrieved from https://www.wlwv.k12.or.us/cms/lib/OR01001812/Centricity/Domain/1341/HANDOUT%20-%20Climatogram.pdf
Joahna Lei Cabreros. Manila Science High School. 2020-2021
