Biology 20

Creating A Zoo!
Regina is opening a zoo and we need your help creating this zoo! We are hiring
all of you expert zoo planners to work in pairs (or alone) and design new biomes for our
zoo! In each biome we want at least two animals and several plant species that would
normally be found there. You must also consider how to create sustainable biomes that
contain a complex web of interacting plants and animals and how to maintain that area’s
climate in our zoo! Please take into account abiotic factors such as sunlight, shade, water,
and air quality that relate to the flora and fauna of their biome. We look forward to
opening our zoo in the near future!

Requirements for zoo proposal assignment:

1. Each habitat must contain one animal as the main attraction. This should be
something charismatic that will attract tourists.
2. Each habitat must contain at least one minor animal that will live successfully
with the major animal. This zoo is not encouraging dramatic predator-prey
interactions.
3. Each habitat must have at least four plants living within it. These plants should be
used by the animals for food, shelter, or both.
4. Each habitat must have a recommended climate to maintain. Give suggestions as
to how this climate could be simulated in your display. Other abiotic factors such
as sunlight, shade, water and air quality should also be considered.
5. A feeding and watering regimen and schedule for the plants and animals living in
the habitat should be included.

In addition to the zoo proposal assignment, you must also design an information panel
(written assessment) for each biome. This provides facts about the plants and animals in
your biome and requires you to create a food chain or web displaying how these
organisms will interact. To design this panel, you should start by investigating symbiotic
relationships that exist among the plants and animals in your biome. You will be
presenting your zoo proposal and information panel to the class.

Possible Biomes to Choose From:

- Tundra
- Taiga
- Coniferous Forest
- Grassland
- Desert
- Tropical Rainforest
- Ocean
- Freshwater
Marking Guide

Zoo Proposal – 40 marks

1. Written Report – 25 marks

a. Is it well organized?
b. Is it free of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors?
c. Are all five requirements discussed in a satisfactory way?
2. Creative Display – 15 marks
a. Is there a poster included? Is it colourful and creative?
b. Does the poster contain:
i. Pictures of the plants and animal included in your display
ii. A diagram to illustrate what your display would look like in a zoo

Information Panel – 30 marks

1. Written Report
a. Have you explained where your biome is found in the world?
b. Have you provided at least 5 facts about your biome?
c. Have you discussed the different plants and animals found in your biome
(including the ones included in your zoo proposal and others that are not
included)
d. Have you created at least 4-5 food chains that exist in your biome?
e. Have you created a food web using at least 5-7 food chains?