TEKS 7.8B analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions of Texas TEKS 8.9C interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify land and erosional features and predict how

these features may be reshaped by weathering

Ecoregions of Texas

Objectives:

•••• Describe the ecoregions of Texas.

•••• Analyze the means of erosion in Texas ecoregions. •••• Analyze data to form reasonable conclusions and

predict trends. Teacher Directions:

In advance: •••• Copy (in color) and laminate the set of 6 Texas data maps. You will need

one set for each group. •••• Copy and laminate one set of the 5 ecoregion cards. You will need one

set for each group. A question card is included in the set. You may copy

it and have students answer the questions in their science journals or you may copy one for each student.

•••• For each student, copy the Texas ecoregion map and 2 data tables

Note that answers will vary—

Map Title Data Shown

Unit of Measurement

Trends or patterns

Average

Temp. January

temperature oF southern portion is warmer

Average Temp. July

temperature oF 2 areas, far west are much warmer

Average rainfall

rainfall inches the east part of the state receives more

rainfall

Average Wind speed

wind speed miles per hour the northwestern part of the state has

higher wind speeds.

Elevation elevation feet the western half of the state is higher in

elevation

Physical Map rivers

mountains none

there are more rivers in the eastern part

of the state, fewer in the west

Materials: •••• color copies of Texas maps

•••• color copies of the ecoregion information

•••• colored pencils •••• Texas ecoregion map,

one per student

Answers are ranges and may vary!

Average

Temperatur

es (oF)

Average

Precipita

tion

(in.)

Averag

e

Winds

(mph)

Topogra

phy

(ft.)

Water

Sourc

es

(few

or

many

)

Other

Characteristics

Most

likely

Means

of

Erosion

Ecoregi

on

January

July

Yearly Wind Speed

Highest Elevation

Rivers/ Lakes

Two for each ecoregion

wind water ice

Piney

Woods

30-

60

80-

90 40-60 7.6

150-

300 many

answers will

vary water

Gulf

Coast

50-

70

80-

90 30-70 12.0 0-150 many

answers will

vary water

Edward

s

Plateau

40-50

80-90

20-50 8.9 600-3000

many answers will

vary water

High

Plains

30-50

100 15-20 12.4 3000-6000

few answers will

vary

wind/water/ice

Trans

Pecos

30-50

80-100

5-15 8.8 600-9000

few answers will

vary wind/ice

Questions:

1. to compare high and low temps.

2. All regions would, but the piney woods,

gulf coast and edwards plateau would be

most likely.

3. high plains and trans pecos

4.

similarities differences

•••• contains many

types of

environments

•••• wide variety

of animals and

plants

•••• all are in

Texas

•••• rainfall

amounts

•••• temperature

extremes

•••• types of

organisms and

plants •••• land features

TEKS 7.8B analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions of Texas

TEKS 8.9C interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify land and erosional features and predict how these features may be reshaped by weathering

Ecoregions of Texas Background Information:

An ecoregion is a large area of land and water that contains a geographically distinct group of natural communities. Ecoregions are

defined mostly by similar landforms, climate, ecological processes, and vegetation. In the state of Texas, there are about 11 different ecoregions.

Each ecoregion looks different from one another in terms of its biotic and abiotic factors.

Texas Ecoregion Map

•••• Use map pencils to color each ecoregion on the Texas Ecoregions Map. Color only the ecoregions which have a color next to them. These will be

the Texas ecoregions investigated in this activity.

Why do you think these specific colors were chosen for these regions?

Additional Data Maps

•••• Examine the additional maps provided by your teacher. Note the title and data shown on each map. Fill in the data shown and the unit used to

measure the data, if any. •••• Look for any trends in the data. For example, there may be more rainfall in

East Texas. Record the trends in the table below.

Map Title Data

Shown

Unit of

Measurement Trends or patterns

Average Temp.

January

Average

Temp. July

Average rainfall

Average Wind speed

Elevation

Physical

Map

Use map data and ecoregion information cards to complete the table below. Use the data to help you answer the questions that follow.

Average

Temperatures

(oF)

Average

Precipitation

(in.)

Average

Winds

(mph)

Topography

(ft.)

Water

Sources

(few or

many)

Other Characteristics

Most likely

Means of

Erosion

Ecoregion January July Yearly Wind Speed

Elevation Rivers/ Lakes

List at least two for each ecoregion

wind

water

ice

Piney

Woods

Gulf Coast

Edwards

Plateau

High

Plains

Trans

Pecos

1. Pineywoods green

2. Oak Woods & Prairies

3. Blackland Prairies

4. Gulf Coast Prairies & Marshes blue

5. Coastal Sand Plains

6. South Texas Brush Country

7. Edwards Plateau yellow

8. Llano Uplift

9. Rolling Plains

10. High Plains red

11. Trans Pecos brown

Texas

Ecoregions •••• Amarillo

•••• Lubbock

•••• El Paso

•••• San Angelo

•••• Galveston

•••• Houston

•••• Corpus Christi

•••• Austin

•••• San

Antonio

Texas Average

Annual

Temperature for January

oF

oF

Texas Average

Annual

Temperature for July

oF

Texas Average

Annual Precipitation

•••• Amarillo

13.5 mph

•••• Lubbock 12.4 mph

•••• San Angelo 16.6 mph

•••• El Paso

8.8 mph

•••• Galveston 11.0 mph

•••• Houston 7.6 mph

•••• Corpus Christi 12.0 mph

•••• Austin

8.9 mph

Texas Wind Speeds of

Various Cities

Texas Elevation Map

Texas Physical Map

Piney Woods Many parts of this ecoregion are characterized

by pine forests on gently, rolling sandy lands.

The region includes the Red River channel,

oxbow lakes and swamps. The Big Thicket Preserve is part of the Piney Woods. There

are many species of trees, flowering plants

and birds. Some examples are white oaks,

sweetgum, and red-cockaded woodpecker.

Gulf Coast Barrier islands, peninsulas and flat plains

characterize this region. About 60% of the

Gulf Coast shoreline is eroded from 30 cm to

15 m each year by the action of the ocean waves. There are many species of birds along

the Gulf Coast. Pricklypear, catclaw, brown

shrimp, Eastern oysters and blue crab are

plants and aquatic animals that live in this

region.

Edwards Plateau The Llano uplift is located within the Edwards

Plateau. This is often referred to as the Hill

Country. Domelike rock formations of granite

are located in this region, such as Enchanted

Rock. A portion of this region is an area of canyon lands. A diversity of plants can be

observed in this area. Mexican free-tailed

bats, Texas blind salamander and the golden-

cheeked warbler are some of the animals

unique to this region.

Trans Pecos The Trans Pecos ecoregion includes deserts, valleys, plateaus, sand hills, and mountain

ranges. It is the most complex of all of the

regions. Because there is such a wide range

of environments in this region, the plant and

animal life is also very diverse. Examples are cactus, yucca, horned lizards, and

roadrunners.

High Plains This region does not receive much rainfall, so

as a result, seasonal lakes called playas form

after a rainfall. The Playas provide habitats

for many water animals. Ducks, geese, sand

hill cranes, and amphibians make use of the water in the playas. Prairie Dogs live

amongst the sagebrush and bluestem

grasses. Palo Duro Canyon, the second

largest canyon in the US, was formed in this

region by water erosion.

Questions:

1. Why is the temperature data provided for only two months of the year? _______________________

________________________________________

2. Based on rainfall and presence of water sources,

which two ecoregions would most likely have the most evidence of erosion by water? ___________

________________________________________

3. Based on the data, which regions would likely have the most erosion by wind? ______________

________________________________________

4. Make a T chart to show the general similarities

and differences between the ecoregions in Texas.

similarities differences