GEOG 235. Biogeography
	Biomes Exercise

Choose two biomes for comparison. It would be best to select a pair with similar dominant growthforms such as the Temperate Broadleaf Deciduous Forest and the Tropical Broadleaf Evergreen Forest; Temperate Grasslands and Tropical Grasslands; or Desertscrub and Mediterranean Shrublands.

1. Indicate the distribution of each biome on an outline map of the world. Be sure to include a legend.

2. Draw profiles of the two vegetation types and indicate all characteristic growthforms.

3. In several well written paragraphs, compare and contrast several factors relevant to biomes that demonstrate both major similarities and differences between your two biomes. (For example, vegetation structure, major growthforms, species diversity, taxonomic patterns, fauna, soil, climatic or other conditions to which organisms must be identified. (See the introduction to biomes) Diagrams could be very useful and are encouraged. Still, there should be a written description or explanation accompanying each diagram.

3. Explain the similarities and the differences that you discovered in terms of adaptations to the particular environment and/or in terms of historical biogeography. Diagrams could be very useful and are encouraged in this section also.

Note: Some biomes have several regional expressions. You may find it easier to generalize among all expressions or to focus on just one regional expression in each biome you study. Either approach is acceptable. If you choose the latter, clearly note which expressions you are comparing.