A Biome/Ecosystem WebQuest
The Prairies Biome

Introduction

The Task

Process

Sources

| The Prairie/Grassland Task |

Decide in your group who will do which job. Click on your "job" for further instructions.

Botanist

Meteorologist

Zoologist

Cartographer

Environmentalist

Sociologist

Botanist: A scientist who studies plants
Meteorologist: A scientist who studies weather
Zoologist: A scientist who studies animals
Cartographer: A map-maker
Environmentalist: A scientist who studies environmental impact
Sociologist: A scientist who studies societies and their culture

The Grassland Meteorologist

Read through your task below

1. Write a paragraph describing the climate of the grassland Biome/Ecosystem. Include temperature and precipitation information.
2. Create 2 graphs- one that shows the average annual temperature of a grassland and one that shows the annual average precipitation.

The Grassland Botanist

Read through your task below.

1. Compare and contrast five species of grassland plants. How are they alike and different?
2. Describe what the soil is like in the grassland.
3. Describe 2 4-level grassland food chains.

The Grassland Meteorologist

Read through your task below.

1. Write a paragraph describing the climate of a grassland. Include average annual temperature and precipitation information.
2. Create 2 graphs- one that shows the average annual temperature of a grassland and one that shows the annual average precipitation.
3. What would you do with a grassland area if you owned it?

The Grassland Zoologist

Read through your task below.

1. Describe in detail five common grassland animals. Include pictures of at least two of them.
2. Describe a four-level grassland food chains.
3. What are some endangered animals that live in the grassland?

The Grassland Cartographer

Read through your task below.

1. Color a world map to show the location of Grasslands/Prairies of the world. Include a key.
2. Explain what causes a grassland to form.
3. Describe what the differences are between grasslands, savannas, steppes, and prairies.

The Grassland Enviromentalist

Read through your task below.

1. List enviromental concerns found in this biome.
2. Choose one to research.
3. Write a letter to address the concerns in your biome to one of the following:

newspaper
DNR
local conservationist group
legislator
state or national park service

The Grassland Sociologist

Read through your task below.

1. What are some groups of people native to this biome? What are some features that describe them?
2. Compare the native inhabitants to current residents.
3. Find at least three pictures that reflect the culture of both native and current inhabitants of this biome.
4. Optional: Interview at least two of the current inhabitants for radio or television.