Janice VanCleave's Science Around the World Activities on Biomes from Pole to Pole

by VanCleave, Janice

• ISBN13: 9780471205470
• ISBN10: 0471205478
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-10
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Fun facts and experiments about Earth's amazing and unique climatic regions!Janice VanCleave's Science Around the World presents interesting facts and fun experiments that relate to the different geographical regions of the world-also known as biomes. Each different biome-forest, grassland, desert, and tundra-has its own unique plant life, animal life, and climate. The experiments, activities, and facts in this book help explain how the different biomes work and show the importance biomes play in keeping life on Earth so fascinatingly diverse.You'll learn how the tilt of Earth affects the weather in different parts of the world; how and why some animals migrate; why leaves change color; and how cacti survive so long without rainfall. From the South American rainforests to the African savannas to the Chinese Takla Makan Desert, you'll find out how climate and geography determine the way plants and animals look and behave-with safe, inexpensive experiments for the home and classroom!

Author Biography

JANICE VANCLEAVE is a former science teacher who now spends her time writing and giving science workshops. She is the author of more than forty books that have sold over two million copies and a resident science fair authority on discovery.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	1	(2)
FORESTS	3	(44)
Tropical Rain Forests	5	(2)
Rain Forest Humidity	7	(3)
Rain Forest Soil	10	(3)
Rain Forest Plants	13	(3)
Forest Canopy and Below	16	(3)
Rain Forest Animals	19	(5)
Deciduous Forests	22	(2)
Seasons	24	(4)
Broadleaf Trees	28	(3)
Deciduous Forest Animals	31	(3)
Leaf Colors	34	(5)
Coniferous Forests	37	(2)
Conifers	39	(2)
Adaptations of Coniferous Plants	41	(2)
Food Chains	43	(4)
GRASSLANDS	47	(20)
Temperate Grasslands	49	(2)
Grasses	51	(3)
Prairie Grasses	54	(4)
Prairie Animals	58	(4)
Tropical Grasslands	60	(2)
Savanna Plants and Animals	62	(2)
Savanna Animal Survivors	64	(3)
DESERTS	67	(24)
Hot Deserts	70	(2)
Sandy Deserts	72	(2)
Transpiration	74	(2)
Hot Desert Plants	76	(2)
Hot Desert Animals	78	(3)
Camels	81	(5)
Cold Deserts	84	(2)
Cold Desert Plants	86	(2)
Cold Desert Animals	88	(3)
TUNDRA	91	(21)
Lowland Tundra	93	(2)
Permafrost	95	(3)
Arctic Tundra Plants	98	(2)
Arctic Tundra Animals	100	(3)
Polar Bears	103	(5)
Highland Tundras	106	(2)
Snow	108	(2)
Winds	110	(2)
Glossary	112	(5)
Index	117