SC15.ES.17

Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Environmental Science

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Structure and Function

Students know:

Biotic and abiotic factors of major biomes.
Classification of biomes based on biological and geological characteristics, including, but not limited to geographical location, climate, flora, and fauna.
Examples of native, invasive, and endangered species of Alabama.
The climate, geology, geography, evolutionary history, and habitats of Alabama.
Factors that influence Alabama's biodiversity.

Students are able to:

Identify biological and geological characteristics of major biomes.
Compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of geological and biological information presented in different media or formats to determine the types of organisms that live in major biomes.
Analyze and interpret data from geographic research and field investigations (such as physiographic, topographic, and relief maps, forest types, rivers, and watersheds).
Use appropriate analyses of data collected from geographic research and field investigations to predict regional diversity in Alabama's terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats.
Evaluate data to describe the distribution of organisms by region for the state of Alabama.

Students understand that:

Biomes are regions of the world with similar biological and geological characteristics.
A biome comprises a large geographical area and contains unique plant and animal groups that are adapted for survival in that physical environment.
Alabama is one of the richest regions in the nation in terms of biodiversity. It ranks fifth in the nation in number of species of plants and animals. Alabama's rich diversity is attributed to a combination of climate, geology, and a variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

biome
climate
latitude
longitude
altitude
flora
fauna
tundra
desert
tropical rain forest
temperate forests
deciduous forest
taiga
savannah
grasslands
chaparral
aquatic biomes — marine, freshwater, estuary, wetlands, marshes, swamps, coral reef
topography
endangered species
invasive species
threatened species
native species
relief map
topographic map
physiographic map
endangered species
invasive species
watershed
native species
keystone species
threatened species