 |
|
| Dallas Zoological Society Partnership : Texas Ecology Texas Animal Diversity |
|
Topic Overview
Quick Facts
At least 48 species have “Texas”
in their taxonomic classification.
The Texas Kangaroo Rat, as with many species is
much less widespread across Texas
due to extensive habitat loss.
Some scientists estimate about 10 million
species of organisms (including humans) live on Earth. Estimates range from as
low as two million species to as high as 100 million.
To date, 2.1 million species have been
classified.
Earth is estimated to be 4.5 billion years old
and life has existed for at least 80% of that period of time.
Life is an improbable occurrence. The conditions
for life are a rare, if not unique, event in the universe.
Mutualism, is likely one of the most common
relationships in the biosphere.
Biodiversity provides a large number of goods
and services that sustain our lives. These include new pharmaceuticals, nutrient
transfer in soils, and models for human inventions ranging from velcro to jet
engines.
The Ghost Faced Bat has been known to roost in
abandoned buildings such as an old middle school in Edinburg,
Texas.
Almost one-fourth of the Earth's land area is
grassland and the Great Plains biome covers a greater
amount of land than any other biome in Texas.
Begin the
Lesson
This lesson introduces the student to biomes, specifically the
biomes found within Texas and the
species diversity found within those biomes. Students are introduced to the
concept of the food chain and food web and the types of animals including
herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. The terms primary and secondary
consumers are introduced. The student is then prompted to explore two
endangered species: the ocelot and the least tern. The reasons for their
endangered status are explored as well as characteristics of each animal and
methods employed by researchers to study each.
Whole Class Introduction to the Lesson
Present the learners with a set of photographs of animals in
their natural environment found within Texas.
Ask the learners what all these animals have in common. Explain that all of the
animals pictured are found within the state of Texas.
Select animals that illustrate the diverse environments found within the state.
Ask the students how such a diverse group of animals can all be found within Texas.
Look for answers related to or lead students to consider the fact that
environments differ greatly from on part of the state to another. For example,
locate a photo of an animal with snow on the ground in Amarillo,
an animal in the lush forests of East Texas and an
animal in the hot, desert summer sun of West Texas. Based
on the pictures, ask students to detail how natural conditions change across Texas
from north to south and east to west.
Sample Questions:
What do all these animals have in common? All
are found within Texas
How is it possible that such a diverse group of
animals is found within the state of Texas?
Environmental or climatic conditions vary greatly from one region of Texas
to another. Animals live in habitats best suited to their own environment.
How do conditions change from East
Texas to West Texas? From Brownsville
in the deep south to Amarillo in
the Panhandle? Rainfall is much greater in the east when compared to the west. Amarillo
experiences cold weather in the winter months while Brownsville
essentially experiences no winter weather.
As part of the introduction, you may want to review some of the
glossary terms in advance of students going online. At this point you can
launch the WebLesson as whole-class activity using a projection device, or you
can assign students to work individually or in teams in a computer lab.
WebLesson Sites
Introduction Perhaps you have heard that Texas is an incredibly large and diverse state? Well, it is true! It should be no surprise that the same is true of animal life in Texas. From the warm, humid, and often rainy Gulf Coast to the hot, dry west Texas desert, conditions vary greatly from east to west. The same is true when we tour from Amarillo to Brownsville. Winter snow, ice storms, and spring severe thunderstorms in Amarillo are replaced by a virtual absence of snow in Brownsville and the threat of late summer and autumn tropical cyclones. With this kind of natural climatic diversity, it should be no surprise that as you travel across Texas, you would encounter a number of different biomes with a variety of animal communities unique to each biome. Texas is home to three major biomes and is situated near at least two more. This lesson will introduce you to various types of biomes, especially those found within Texas. You will have the opportunity to learn about the animal species found within each biome. Two species of particular interest to our zoo are highlighted as well.
Scenario Congratulations! You have been selected to be an expedition leader. Your expedition will be exploring animal diversity across Texas. Your exploration will enable you to discover both environmental conditions across Texas as well as where various species fit into the food chain. Your final report should identify specific animals found within each biome, how they interact and where they fit on the food chain within each biome.
Lesson Pages
Biomes Across North America
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=14051
Biomes Across North America
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/index.html
Mammals of Texas
http://www.mammalsociety.org/statelists/txmammals.html
Animal Diversity Web
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html
A Texas Case Study: The Ocelot
http://www.siec.k12.in.us/cannelton/animalsunite/ocelot.htm
Species at Risk: Interior Least Tern
http://www.sierraclub.org/lewisandclark/species/tern.asp#bison1 Conclusion & Project
Conclusion Texas is a large and diverse state where three distinct and different biomes can be found. Eastern Texas is home to the eastern temperate forest, a region with ample rainfall, high humidity throughout much of the year and forests composed of many deciduous species. The animals found within this biome are adapted to an environment with many trees and significant rainfall.
As one proceeds westward from the eastern counties, conditions rapidly change. Less rain falls across central Texas, summer humidity drops and summer temperatures rise. Forests are replaced by open plains. These conditions are all characteristic of the Great Plains biome. The Great Plains, of course extend northward from Texas to the Canadian border and well into Canada’s interior. Animals found within this biome prefer the more open environments characteristic of the Great Plains. Perhaps the most forbidding environment is the west Texas desert. The North American desert extends from northern Mexico to much of Arizona and New Mexico. This region experiences hot, dry summers, and mild, dry winters. Most animals in this region are generally small and adapted to the limited moisture characteristic of this region. Animals like the bobcat are quite successful as they have adapted to multiple biomes while others such as the ocelot and the Least Tern are threatened due to their need for habitats that are disappearing as humans occupy previously unpopulated regions. Project Select a biome found within Texas, identify at least ten animal species found within that biome and the relationships that exist between each species. Detail which species are primary consumers and which are secondary consumers. Explain how each species is suited to the unique environment found within the biome you selected.
Glossary
perennial - any plant that under natural conditions lives for several to many growing seasons, as compared to an annual that completes its life cycle in one season
latitude - degree measure of distance from the Equator
community - all the plants and animals that live in the same area and interact with one another
diversity - variety of life forms found within a biome
deciduous - trees that shed leaves in the autumn
leeward - the side of the mountains sheltered from the ocean winds, in North America, this is a region to the east of the mountains
producer - organism such as a green plant, that manufactures its own food from simple inorganic substances
consumer - organism that feeds on other organisms, or on material derived from them
primary consumer - animal that eats producers, a herbivore
secondary consumer - animal that eats other animals; also a carnivore or an omnivore
species - subdivision of a genus considered as a basic biological classification and containing individuals that resemble one another and that may interbreed
taxon - any of the groups to which organisms are assigned according to the principles of taxonomy, including species, genus, family, order, class, and phylum
frugivore - animal that eats primarily fruits
omnivore - animal that eats both plants and other animals
endangered species - species in danger of extinction
extinction - ceasing to exist of all members of a species
nocturnal - animal that is active at night
territory - area that an animal considers as its own and that it defends against intruders of the same species
meandering - to follow an indirect route or course, especially one with a series of twists and turns
migratory - moving as part of a bird, fish, or other animal population from one region to another every year, usually at specific times in order to breed or avoid unsuitable weather conditions
|