BiomeViewer:

Biodiversity and Human Impacts Apps

Student Worksheet

OVERVIEW
This worksheet is designed to familiarize you with the many features found in BiomeViewer.

TIPS FOR USING THE APP

 You can use BiomeViewer online or download an iPad version from the App Store.
 Click and hold the globe to spin it and explore different parts of the world.
 Click and release a spot on the globe to drop a pin there to see a summary of the characteristics of the
biome for that location.
 You can also search for locations by name, latitude/longitude, or zip code.
 In the biome summary panel, click on “More” to see a longer description, photos, a larger climate graph, and
wildlife data.
 Click on “Compare” to view details on two biomes side by side.
 On the biomes legend, use the arrows at the top to see different layers including anthromes, temperature,
precipitation, and terrain.
 Click the gear icon to toggle gridlines and political boundaries on and off.
 Click on the globe icon to switch between a spherical view and a flat projection of Earth.

BIODIVERSITY AND LATITUDE

1. Drop the pin on any point in one of the biomes listed in Table 1 below and record the following:
Biome name: ____________________________
Alpine

Latitude and longitude: __________________________

28.8° S, 28.8° E

Range of temperatures: Minimum __________________

7C Maximum __________________
18 C

Range of rainfall: Minimum __________________

20 mm Maximum __________________
140 mm

Total number of species (richness): _________________

17 reptiles, 25 amphibians, 93 mammals
TOTAL: 135 species

2. Share the data you collected with your classmates and complete Table 1 as others share their data. Pick just
one representative location for each biome.

Table 1. Characteristics of some representative biomes.

Biome Latitude Species Richness
Tundra 67° N, 96.4° W 0 reptile, 0 amphibian, 18 mammals
Boreal Forest
61.6° N, 99.2° E 1 reptile, 1 amphibians, 32 mammal
Temperate Deciduous Forest
52.2° N, 73.4° E 1 reptile, 2 amphibians, 46 mammals
Desert
25° S, 139.4° E 10 reptiles, 10 amphibians, 32 mammals

Tropical Rain Forest

16.2° N, 89.8° W 58 reptiles, 26 amphibians, 138 mammals

Alpine 28.8° S, 28.8° E 17 reptiles, 25 amphibians, 93 mammals

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BiomeViewer: Biodiversity and Human Impacts Student Worksheet

3. Based on the completed table, do an “I see, I think, I wonder” activity by completing Table 2.

Table 2. Questions about patterns in biomes.

I see I think I wonder
What patterns do you observe? What can you infer from the What else would you like to
patterns? explore?
According to the gathered I think that the I would like to
biome data, it can be seen patterns that are explore what other
that whenever the location
of the biome is near the observed can help one things can be observed
equator, the more species conclude that the when the eye is turned
are found. Moreover, the distribution of the to the North and South
biomes found with more species are depending pole ice caps. I think
species are commonly found on the biomes' that would give us
in wet-related areas, in
this case, the tropical location, which then minimum data about the
rainforest had the most tells us about their species for there is
listed species in the data. temperature ranges and not enough
precipitation. distribution of food
and vegetation in the
area.

4. Change the view to a flat map and turn on the gridlines. Click on the Sahara Desert near the Tropic of
Cancer. Click “compare” and select the tropical rain forest biome in Southeast Asia at about the same
latitude. Then, answer the following questions:

a. How do rainfall and temperature patterns differ between the biomes?

More rainfall and temperature in the tropical rainforest in the Southeast Asia than those in the Sahara Desert. The more rainfall, the more
vegetation to grow in the area, hence, more food resources for the animals. We can see drought throughout the year in the Sahara Desert,
while the tropical rainforest have all-year round rainfall distribution. Temperature difference can also be seen as they differ in their consistence;
whereas, the Southeast Asia tropical rainforest have more regulated temperatures (does not vary/change that much) while the Sahara Desert's
temperature ranges from 10°C in the midyear and climbing up to 30°C the rest of the year.

b. List the species richness for each biome.

6 reptiles, 10 amphibians, 50 reptiles, 29
and 72 mammals = amphibians, and 64

Sahara Desert: ______________ SE Asia Tropical Forest: _____________

88 species mammals = 143 species

c. Think about the difference or similarity in species richness between these two biomes. What could
account for this difference or similarity?
They both have abundance in the mammal specie, even though they have varying temperature
and precipitation measurement. The mammal species in the Sahara Desert are more on the
field, and most of them are carnivorous, while those in the Southeast Asian Tropical Rainforest
have more herbivores and omnivores, than carnivores. The real difference in the species is in
the field of reptiles and amphibians. Like I said earlier, I believe it has something to do with the
connection of vegetation and the precipitation. With the regulated temperature in the Southeast
Asian Tropical Rainforest, the species don't have to adapt and migrate to other places for it is
almost the same althroughout the year.

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BiomeViewer: Biodiversity and Human Impacts Student Worksheet

HUMAN IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY

5. Go back to your original biome from question 1. Make sure you are still in flat map view. Change to the
Anthrome layer and select the year 2000.

a. Select the point in your biome with the highest level of human disturbance. List the Anthromes at this
location for each of these years:

1700: _________________________
Seminatural
1800: _________________________
Seminatural
1900: _________________________
Rangelands
2000: _________________________
Croplands

b. Briefly summarize how humans have impacted the environment at this location over time.
With the increase of human threat over time, most species are held at the corner as their
habitats are being lessened. Their daily normal routine and the food chain is disturbed, and this
causes the decrease in the food resources, which then leads to possible endangerment of
these species, or worse, extinct.
c. At this location, record the following:

Anthrome (year 2000): _______________________

Croplands
Species Richness: ________________
17 reptiles, 25 amphibians, 93 mammals = 135

# Species NOT listed as “Least Concern”: ___________

10 species

d. Now select the point in your biome with the lowest level of human disturbance. Ideally, it should be a
wilderness area, but as close as possible to the last location. Record the following:

Anthrome: _______________________
Seminatural
Species Richness: ________________
17 reptiles, 25 amphibians, 93 mammals = 135

# Species NOT listed as “Least Concern”: ___________

10 species

e. Summarize the differences in species richness and IUCN status of species between the two locations.
Make a claim for how human disturbance could have impacted biodiversity in your biome. Support your
claim with evidence.
For my location, it isn't evident. However, the change in the habitat may have a great impact
few years in the future. The rapid change in just a century and the diminished area of
seminatural anthrome in 1700 to 1800 will tell how human disturbance can give less habitation
to our animals. Luckily, the species aren't disrupted, but who can tell? We are still early into
another century.

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