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: ____________________________
Tropical Rain Forest
Latitude and longitude: __________________________
7.8*N, 125.2*E
Range of temperatures: Minimum __________________
22*C Maximum __________________
26*C
Range of rainfall: Minimum __________________
120 mm Maximum __________________
290 mm
Total number of species (richness): _________________
180 sp.
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 62.4° N 27 species
Boreal Forest
56.8° N 63 species
Temperate Deciduous Forest
36.1° N 70 species
Desert
20.1° N 14 species
Tropical Rain Forest (Castor)
7.8*N, 125.2*E 164 sp.
Alpine 34.7° N 23 species
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Apps
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?
One pattern that we have Water plays an important I wonder if the geological
observed is that the closer role in providing and history of the land has to
when the precipitation and maintaining life on its do with the species
temperature levels are between
surroundings. Water allow richness. I also wonder
10°C and 30°C the more species
inhabit it. plants and animals to how climate change has
survive in harsh affected and will affect
The second pattern is that environments and serve as the species richness
biomes that have warmer one of their source of throughout history and in
climate and have higher nutrients. While deserts the coming future. If
precipitation levels and polar ice have little species will migrate to
throughout the year have species richness due to other biomes or will they
greater species richness. climates being either too stay there and attempt to
hot or too cold for many adapt to their new
The third pattern is that
biomes that are closer to the other species to thrive surroundings.
equator also have greater in.
species richness.
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?
In Sahara Desert, the rainfall is <20 mm, while tropical rain forest ranges from 30-470 mm. For
temperature, Sahara desert experiences 18-37 degree Celcius, while tropical rain forest
experiences 13-23 degree Celcius.
b. List the species richness for each biome.
14 sp. 139 sp.
Sahara Desert: ______________ SE Asia Tropical Forest: _____________
c. Think about the difference or similarity in species richness between these two biomes. What could
account for this difference or similarity?
In Sahara desert, the species richness is 14, while SE Asia tropical forest has 139. The huge
difference may be due to the climate of these two countries. Sahara desert has a very hot
climate that is not suitable as habitat for a huge number of different species. The intense
climate may only lead to the decrease of population of species if they fail to adapt to the new
environment. Whereas SE Asia tropical forest experiences humid and warm type of climate,
which is tolerable for a wide variety of species, may it be plants or animals. The South-East
Asian climate offers a favorable environment for plants and trees to grow from, which provides
a great habitat for different species, thus increasing their population even more.
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Apps
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: _________________________
Villages
1900: _________________________
Villages
2000: _________________________
Villages and dense settlements
b. Briefly summarize how humans have impacted the environment at this location over time.
Due to increase in human population over a long period of time, the vast area that is rich in vegetation was slowly being
replaced by villages, where humans settle, and croplands, where humans get their source of income and food/nutrients. What
was before a forested area is now converted into agricultural spaces. Biodiversity has decresease in a huge scale due to the
demand for human settlements. Some species of plants and trees have disappeared as they were cut down which also
decreased the number of animals living in the area due to their homes that are being destroyed.
c. At this location, record the following:
Anthrome (year 2000): _______________________
Villages
Species Richness: ________________
157 sp.
# Species NOT listed as “Least Concern”: ___________
13 sp.
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: ________________
180 sp.
# Species NOT listed as “Least Concern”: ___________
15 sp.
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.
In the area with high level of human distrubances, the number of species richness is 157 species compared to the
180 species in places with lower level of human distrubance. Low disturbance areas allow the different species
living in that area to reproduce freely without the threat of being hunted. Animals travel to different places in search
of food or possible mate which increases genetic exchange and gene flow among different species, thus
contributing to biodiversity.
The IUCN status in areas with high distrubance is lower compared to areas with low level of disturbances. This
may be due to the reason that the low disturbance area serves as a great hunting spot for people who were
looking for animals to be sold for a greater price.
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