Geography 1111L assignment for week of Mar 29

Welcome to the world of biogeographical classifications, of which every "specialist" seems to have a different scheme.   You might notice this during this week's exercise, in fact I have highlighted this aspect...
 

Your assignment:

• Complete the small exercises in chapter 18 of the lab book, and turn in page 264.
• Look at the internet sites given below, noting how biomes are defined in each and how this compares to the book. Answer questions 1-4 on this page based on what you find.

• For long-term memory (it'll be on the test) - remember some characteristics (plants, climate, soil, location, etc.) which define and differentiate each major biome type as given in the workbook.   Also remember what the terms, etc. used in the lab book chapter 18 mean.   Bland statements like "lots of trees" are not good enough!   The lab book may be used for review, but I recommend reading the matching chapter in the textbook for a much better description.

1:    Describe some differences in how biomes are defined in your textbook vs. how they are defined on one or more of the internet sites referred to below.   Examples to note might be how many there are total or for some region, whether some are defined as one single or as several biomes (like coniferous forests - boreal forests - mountain boreal...), the locations of borders and transitions between biomes, characteristic vegetation and animals, climate, soil, etc.   Why are there differences?  How do the classifications differ in methodology from the climate classification of a few weeks ago?

2:    Take a look at the descriptions for the biome that Athens GA falls into according to your textbook, and list the common characteristics that all (or most) definitions seen on the internet sites give for this area.   Are there differences?   Then give me a brief overview of at least one other area in the world outside the USA where you might expect similar conditions, and why.   Hint: look for similar climates and biomes on the map in the back of your workbook (see some of the maps in your atlas, perhaps).   How do the locations of similar biomes compare to the similarities in the two areas according to Koeppen climate classification?

3:    Tell what your preferred biome is, and why.   State what features you find most appealing, such as climate, plants, wildlife, population density, location...   Use whatever classification you like from the text or i-net sites, but be sure to state which one you are using.   I prefer the boreal forest/taiga myself, because of the beautiful forests and wetlands, low population density, 4 distinct seasons, and lack of dangerous critters (like poisonous snakes, scorpions, leeches...).   What area do you like, and why?   Alternately,  tell why you dislike certain areas...

plus one page from the book...

4:    Photocopy page 264 of the lab book (answered, naturally) and hand in with the above.
 

See these links:
 

ps- Ignore any "assignments" that may appear on the web sites you look at above, of course!
 

• Turn it in during class on Apr 05.

Your grade will be based on effectiveness in making your points clear in summary form (2 pages).   What does this mean?   It means that your small, but concise submission must be efficient at answering the questions, and also typed, stapled and named... and understandable!    Should also make some sense...   Margins and typeface should not attempt to hide lack of content...

fin
 
 

 
Here and there a lusty trout,
    And here and there a grayling.

                           -Tennyson, The Brook