Ecoregions of Texas
The natural events of weathering, erosion and deposition effect the unique ecoregions of Texas depending upon the characteristic soil and rock type, vegetation, climate, and topography of the area. Human activities such as deforestation or urbanization can increase the impact of weathering, erosion and deposition on an ecosystem.
Weathering is the gradual chemical and physical changes made to rocks due to the presence of weathering agents such as water, temperature changes and the actions of plant roots that pry rocks apart.
Erosion occurs when the rock or soil of Earth’s surface is moved to another location by erosional agents such as the flow of water, ice or wind, as well as the constant pull of gravity.
Deposition occurs as sediment or fine rock fragments, resulting from the actions of weathering and erosional agents, settles (or is deposited) in a different location.
Weathering is the gradual chemical and physical changes made to rocks due to the presence of weathering agents such as water, temperature changes and the actions of plant roots that pry rocks apart.
Erosion occurs when the rock or soil of Earth’s surface is moved to another location by erosional agents such as the flow of water, ice or wind, as well as the constant pull of gravity.
Deposition occurs as sediment or fine rock fragments, resulting from the actions of weathering and erosional agents, settles (or is deposited) in a different location.
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Open the MapSetWED.pdf file
Use Map #1, “Ecoregions of Texas as a guide to shade in the Ecoregions Map in your Explore Student Journal Create a color key and legend. Use the background information and the maps to analyze the abiotic and biotic factors that make each ecoregion distinctive. Record this information in the middle column of the Ecoregions in Texas data table in your Explore Student Journal Open the PhotoGalleryWED.pdf file Use the Photo Gallery and examine the photos #1-4 in the Collage of Texas Landscapes. Discuss the details of the photos with your lab group. Match each of the photos to a specific ecoregion and explain why you think the picture is a good match for a particular ecoregion in the third column of the data table titled: Ecoregions in Texas in your Explore Student Journal There are only four photo examples for all of the ecoregions listed, so choose four that best fit the four photos. |