Temperature and Precipitation as Limiting Factors in Ecosystems
Lesson Plans
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
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Provided by GLOBE Project
What it is
- In this activity, students will read graphs to understand the influence of temperature and precipitation on different ecosystems and learn which of these factors limits growth the most.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The lesson has very clear directions and great visuals.
- The grouping and discussion strategies will enhance learning for a broad range of learners.
Prerequisites
- Prior to the lesson, students should know how to read line graphs and have familiarity with different land cover types.
Differentiation
- Pre-teaching vocabulary will be helpful for English language learners.
- The activity could be enhanced if educators indicate that seasonal patterns are changing and builds some connections toward an understanding of global climate change.
- Classes could research how temperature and precipitation levels are changing due to climate change in the different regions from the activity. Students could discuss how these changes may affect plant growth there.
- Other helpful resources include this video on ecosystems, this video on the importance of soil in plant growth, and this video on ecological farming practices.
From the scientist review
Temperature and precipitation are the two most important factors in determining vegetation growth. This resource utilizes real data so that students may discover which factor limits vegetation growth in specific locations and climates. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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