Texas Eco Regions Energy Project
Everything is BIGGER and BETTER in Texas!
Texas Eco Region Map
Step 1: Assemble a group of 4 team members.
Step 2: As a group, pick an Eco Region of Texas to investigate!
Step 3: As a group, decide what digital format you will use to gather information and present to the class. You may choose one of the Digital Posters from the following link.
Unit Objectives
Your Project Should Include the Following Information:
Biome Information
- A. Identify your Texas Ecoregion and the biome that it belongs to.
- B. Identify the major abiotic factors that influence the biome type present.
- C. Include water sources, precipitation and average temperature information.
- D. Include a map of your ecoregion.
Energy Pyramid
Create an energy pyramid. Label each level as producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, and tertiary consumer.
The organisms in the pyramid must be native to your ecoregion. You must include a minimum of 6 producers, 3 primary consumers, 2 secondary consumers, and 1 tertiary consumer. Extra points will be awarded if you choose to add additional organisms in proportion to their trophic level.
Write how much energy exists at each level.
Identify the how much energy is passed on from one level to the next in an energy pyramid.
- Differentiate between a producer (autotroph) and a consumer (heterotroph.)
Food Web
Create a food web using some of the organisms from your pyramid. You must include a minimum of 6 producers, 3 primary consumers, 2 secondary consumers, and 1 tertiary consumer. Extra points will be awarded if you choose to add additional organisms in proportion to their trophic level.
Differentiate between a producer (autotroph) and a consumer (heterotroph.)
Explain what the arrows means in a food chain or food web.
- Organisms in a food web are dependent on one another. If there is an increase in primary consumers, explain how this will affect the quantity of producers and of secondary consumers.
Decomposer
Identify role of a decomposer. List three examples.
Explain how decomposers are beneficial for new plant growth.
- State the type of energy that is released when matter decays.
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Layout
Your digital poster should be organized, neat and legible
Your digital poster must include images for each topic area
All components of a specific topic area should be grouped together or each group may be distinguished by coloring coding each section with a different color.
Rubrics
Biome Information: 12 points
Energy Pyramid: 30 points
Food Web: 24 points
Decomposers: 18 points
Layout: 16 Points