Can you imagine what it would be like to see an alligator crawl out of a pond in upstate New York? How about a polar bear swimming along the southern California coast? Is there a relationship between an area's climate — its average temperature, precipitation, and other weather factors — and the types of species that can live there?

Goals

• Understand how to use the Internet as a source of information and learning.
• Understand the relationship between an area's climate and the types of species that can live there.
• Identify the type of biome you live in and describe the distribution of biomes across the United States.

Procedure

1. Identify the type of biome you live in. A biome is a large geographical area with its own distinctive climate and species. Go to the Web links page to find links about biomes on the Internet.
2. Research information about your biome. What kinds of animals and plants live here? What is the climate like? Print this data table and record what you find.
3. Find information about the other biomes. Record the data in the data table.
4. How many different biomes are there in the United States? Research the information using the Internet. Print this map of the United States and use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to label the map to show where the different biomes are located.
5. Identify a major city in your state. Use the Internet, newspapers, or almanacs to find annual climate data (daily high temperatures and amount of precipitation) for this city. Find average monthly temperature and precipitation for this city over a 12-month time period.
6. Use the Internet, newspapers, or the local library to find out the names of common plants and animals in your state.

Conclude and Apply

1. Compare and contrast two different biomes in North America.
2. What kinds of plants and animals live in a desert environment? What characteristics do these organisms have to survive in a desert climate?
3. Explain the relationship between an area's climate and the type of species that can live there.