Lesson One: Organisms and Their Environments Activity One: Exploring the Biosphere

Activity One: In this activity you will explore the connection between the abiotic (non-living) and the biotic (living) components of a selected ecosystem or biome type. Your task is to write about how the abiotic and biotic components are connected. Your exploration will occur electronically on the internet. The product of this activity will be a written report submitted to the instructor on paper in your folder. Choose a biome from the internet resources listed below. Include the following things in your report: A list of the abiotic (non-living) factors important in the biome type (ie. temperature, sunlight, rainfall, etc.) A list of the biotic factors (living organisms) you would expect to find in the biome A paragraph describing how the biome's abiotic factors influence the biotic factors that are present. (Describe, for example, how the climate of the biome type influences the type of organism that is capable of living there, and how the amount of sunlight influences life in the biome.)  Internet Resources (examine these photographs, choose a biome types from these or find your own). Then use the internet links below to do your research.  High Mountains | Deserts | Rainforests | Oceans Student Example Helpful Internet links: Biomes Biomes: By Thurston High School Students         Ecology Class Home Page Lessons Calendar Resources Key Questions Vocabulary