Biomes are unique habitats distinguished by the types of animals and plant life that grow in a particular climate or geographic region. Biomes can be defined in broad or narrow terms. For example, a grassland biome is characterized by a region of land populated almost exclusively by grass with few or no trees. Examples of grasslands include prairies, savannas and veldts. The BBC’s Planet Earth television program is organized as an exploration of the world’s biomes with episodes like “Mountains,” “Deserts,” and “Caves.” The first episode in particular, “Pole to Pole,” is an excellent introduction to the concept of biomes.
A science project on biomes is an excellent way to explore evolution. Students can examine the differences between similar animals or plants in different biomes, for example the differences between a jack rabbit, the common garden rabbit and snow rabbit. Not only would they describe the physical differences in the animals, but propose a reason for these differences based on their biomes.
Ask students to research a particular biome. Students can choose the biome themselves or you can assign individual or groups of students to work on specific biomes. Completion of the project can take the form of a written report, oral report, poster board presentation or diorama. All of these should include the geographical location of the biome, the climate, plant life and animals. While the written and oral reports will be composed at home, you can encourage students to bring in magazines, printouts or other items to complete the poster board or diorama in class. To give the science project focus, you may pose a question like, “How the did plants and animals of a biome adapt to their climate?”
Students may be asked to look at biomes within a particular region such as a continent, country, state, county or city. Instead of inspecting a single biome, students would identify all biomes within the region assigned. For example, according to Blue Planet Biomes, in the 48 contiguous states there are at least eight different major biomes. These biomes can be further subdivided into many smaller biomes like wetlands, prairies and caves. In addition, animals and plants of the same genus or scientific division may look or behave differently on different continents but have similar characteristics as well.
The definition of a biome does not include humans, but you can include an examination of the different cultures that have evolved in the biomes. Humans, like animals, must adapt to the biomes in which they live. Even in the United States, people who live in Maine live very differently than people who live in Arizona, including the type of home, building materials, clothing, pastimes and local cuisines.