Theme: Ecological diversity, and biomes,
Theme: Ecological diversity, and biomes,
In a brief walk through the museum, observe several dioramas (three-dimensional representation of natural environments) starting with a map of North American biomes and ecological subdivisions on the first floor. Continue to Halls of North American Forests, North American Mammals, and Ocean life, all on the first floor and finish your journey observing Hall of Birds of the World (Second Floor), starting with
1. Biogeographic vegetation map of North America (First floor, near North American Forests); identify the major biomes and try to describe the plants, animals that represent the following exhibits:
I. In North American Forests identify the biomes for:
1. Giant Cactus Forest
2. Timberline in northern Rocky Mountains
3. Olympic Rain Forest
4. Oak-Hickory Forest
II. In North American Mammals
1. Bison and Pronghorn
2. Alaskan Moose
3. Mountain Lion
III. In Hall of Ocean Life
1. Pacific Penrhyn Pearl Divers
2. Andros Coral Reefs
IV. In Hall of Birds of the World
1. American Tropical Rainforest
2. High Andes
3. Tundra
4. European Alps
5. Gobi Desert
For all Biomes and ecological representations, we may ask the following:
1) Which of the biomes has the most fragile ecology?
2) Which are the most affected by human activity?
3) In which Biome, if natural, would you like to live?
Think: What would happen if nature couldn’t repair the damage inflicted by humans?
