Forest Discovery

Mrs. Greenleaf is an eccentric woman with a love of forests. She is also quite wealthy. She wants her home to be an authentic representation of the different types of forests of the world. She is funding a major research project in order to achieve authenticity.

You have just been named to the team of scientists commissioned to study forest biomes. The Forest Discovery Team is made up of biologists, earth scientists, and physical scientists.

Each team member is assigned to study specific aspects of the forest biomes. Team members may use knowledge already gained from class to aid in the study. Biology students will be a part of the Biologist team. Geology, Meteorology, and Oceanography students will be part of the Earth Scientist Team. Integrated Physics and Chemistry students will be part of the Physical Scientist Team.

Biologists will study the interdependence and interaction within each ecosystem, variations in plant and animal life, and the role of microorganisms in the biomes. Earth Scientists will study the watershed, weather, and climate of each biome. Physical Scientists will study of the effects of acid rain on the biomes and the environmental impact of using various energy sources.

Upon conclusion of the study, the team will collaborate to create a PowerPoint presentation and models of each of the forest biomes in Mrs. Greenleaf's home (also know as the science room).

Find the following information for each biome. Useful links are provided at the end of the page.

1.	How does energy flow through the carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, nitrogen cycle, and water cycle?
2.	Why is each of these cycles important to the forest biomes?
3.	In each biome, what organisms exhibit: a) predation b) parasitism c) commensalism d) mutualism?
4.	How do these affect other organisms and the biome?
5.	What varieties of plants and animals are found in the biomes?
6.	What conditions can the plants and animals found in each biome tolerate?
7.	How have the plants and animals adapted to the environment?
8.	How are the structural and physiological adaptations of plants related to their environments?
9.	What methods of plant reproduction, growth, and development are found in each biome?
10.	How does a limited resource base (food supply) effect long-term survival of a dependent species?
11.	What organisms are parts of the food chains, food webs and/or food pyramids in each biome?
12.	How do matter and energy flow through the different trophic levels and between organisms and the environment?
13.	What are the characteristics of the plant systems and subsystems in each biome?
14.	How do the systems and subsystems contribute to the well being of the plants?
15.	How do microorganisms maintain and disrupt equilibrium in the biomes ( include plant and animal diseases, and decay)?
16.	What genetic variations are observed in the plants and animals of each biome?

1.	Why is water considered to be the universal solvent?
2.	How does the concentration of ions in a solution relate to physical and chemical properties (pH, electrolytic behavior, and reactivity)?
3.	Simulate the effects of acid rain on soil, buildings, statues, and microorganisms.
4.	How do the various factors (temperature, pressure, and the nature of the solute and solvent) influence solubility?
5.	How do factors such as particle size, influence the rate of dissolving?
6.	What effects do the universal solvent water have on the biomes?
7.	What are the economic and environmental effects of using a variety of energy sources (disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries, solar cells, and fossil fuels)?
8.	What are the effects of heating and cooling processes in weather systems and living systems of the biomes?
9.	How do mechanical heating and cooling systems affect the environment of the biomes?
10.	What are the environmental and economical impacts of the end products of chemical reactions on the biomes?

Now that you have collected the information, create a Multimedia presentation in order to share your newfound knowledge with your teammates. Include models of the forest biomes for Mrs. Greenleaf's home.

Your work will be evaluated based on the rubric below. The content of your presentation counts 50% of your grade. Mechanics count 25% and Presentation counts 25% of your grade. A total score of less than 70 points will result in doing the project again.

0 Points	1 Point	2 Points	3 Points	4 points	Score
31% or more of required information missing or incorrect.	70% of required information present and correct.	80% of required information present and correct.	90% of required information present and correct.	All required information present and correct.	*Content*
More than 30 errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation.	30 or fewer errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation.	20 or fewer errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation.	10 or fewer errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation.	No errors in English usage, sentence construction, spelling, capitalization or punctuation.	Mechanics
Presentation of information poor in quality and effort. Overuse of design or no design. Difficult to follow.	Presentation of information below expectations. Design occasionally detracts from presentation. Interesting in areas, distracting in areas.	Presentation of information meets expectations. Design enhances presentation. Interesting most of the time. Little distraction.	Presentation of information above expectations. Design enhances presentation. Interesting throughout.	Presentation of information exceeds expectations. Design is of professional quality.	*Presentation*
				Total Points
Formula for calculating grade:	1) Multiply content score by 2. That is your score for that row.	2) Add points scored from each row.	3) Divide the total points by 16.	4) Multiply that number by 100 to find your grade.	*Grade*

Earth Observatory		Enchanted Learning
Biomes		Introduction to Biomes
The Evergreen Project		The World's Biomes
Tour of Biomes		Introduction to Biomes
World Biomes		Shades of Green: Earth's Forests

1.	What are the characteristics of the watershed of each biome (average rainfall, runoff patterns, aquifers, locations of river basins, surface water reservoirs)?
2.	What impact do floods, drought, irrigation, and industrialization have on the biome watersheds?
3.	How are the surface and subsurface water sources important to the biomes?
4.	How is heat energy transferred at the boundaries between the atmosphere, landmasses, and oceans?
5.	What is the result of the heat transfer in the ocean and atmosphere?
6.	Identify, describe and compare the climate zones associated with the forest biomes?