Ecology 3144L Biomes

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Ecology 3144L Biomes
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Ecology is the study of the distribution of
living organisms and the interactions between
organisms and their environment.
The environment includes the both physical
properties and the other organisms that share
that habitat.
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Environmental factors influencing organisms at
largest scale global biomes
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What is a biome? A biome is a large, distinctive
complex of plant communities created and
maintained by climate
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Location                Mean annual precip.
(cm)       Mean. annual temp. (C) Charlotte,
NC                    109                         
           16 Needles, CA                      
11                                     30 Pt.
Barrow, Alaska              11                    
               -13 Belem, Brazil                  
    244                                   
27 Iguatu, Brazil                       
79                                    28
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Purpose of todays lab

• Compare the climate in a desert and a rainforest
• Compare adaptations of plants to life in a desert
  and a rainforest
• Readings     Smith Smith (text) pages 113-117
  (low light adaptations) 124-125 (CAM
  adaptation)

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Module Write-up
Introduction     Purpose of lab, descriptions of
climates, limiting factors, etc.     Methods
Study area (including figure) How many
samples? What equipment did you use? Results
and Discussion     Life cycles, roots,
photosynthesis, shape, color, epidermis, etc.    
Comparison of leaf thickness (including figure of
average thickness) References Appendix    
Table of raw measurements
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Equipment vernier caliper
http//members.shaw.ca/ron.blond/Vern.APPLET/