Environmental Science Dynamic Study Modules

Topic: Dynamic Study Modules  Dynamic Study Modules use adaptative repetition. The algorithm shows questions based on student responses. DSMs react to the student’s prior knowledge and confidence level and makes sure they see questions the correct number of times in order to “master” them.  Additionally Dynamic Study Modules use multiple questions inside one learning unit that all address the same exact concept. The algorithm presents the different questions from a learning unit at various times, stopping students from simply memorizing a question and its answer.  Smart refresh delivers a unique learning experience, while refresh simply allows the student to retake the module.  Review lets students view all the questions in the module. :Biomes:  Temperature grasslands occur in areas that are too warm for coniferous forest and too dry for temperature forest, and with decreased precipitation. Precipitation-averaging between 25 and 75 cm per year and w/periodic severe drought-is two low to support forest growth but can support grasses. Temperature grasslands are mostly treeless, except along rivers or streams, and are found in regions of colder winter temperatures than savannas. The Tundra has extremely cold winters and has low scrubby vegetations w/o trees.  Organisms would have adaptations enabling them to respond seasonal variations of sunlight in temperature deciduous forests because this habitat has significant variations in day length which allows for four distinct seasons.  Tropical forests, coral reefs, and savannas are all in the tropics where day length, and therefore light levels, varies little throughout the season. The deep ocean has no light, and therefore sunlight would also not vary throughout the season.  The tropical forests biome correctly pairs with year-round warmth and rainfall. The tropics are known for their warm temperatures and abundant rainfall, due to their proximity to the equator.  Temperature deciduous forests are dominated by plants that drop their leaves in the winter to conserve water. They grow throughout midaltitude regions, where there is sufficient moisture in support the growth of large trees. These forests typically have a growing season of 5-6 months and a distinct annual rhythm. Trees drop their leaves and become dormant in late autumn, preventing the loss of water from the tree at a time when frozen soil makes water less available. The trees produce new leaves in the spring.   Boreal (coniferous) forests and tropical rainforests have trees that drop their leaves slowly year-round, not all at once, to conserve water. The tropical rainforests contain most of its nutrients in the plants themselves, instead of the soil.  Grassland soil is high in nutrients. The tundra and desert have lower biodiversity and productivity. Taiga (boreal forests) has nutrient-poor soils, but their biodiversity is much lower than a rainforest.   Most of the world’s grasslands have been converted to agricultural crop production because of their deep, fertile soils. Besides sunlight, temperature and moisture are the next most important climatic factors for terrestrial plants. In fact, these factors specifically dictate the climate of an area.  Other factors of key importance in determining the species composition of an area wind and fire.   Permafrost in the tundra biome prevents roots from growing too deeply into the soil, preventing trees from growing. The boreal (coniferous) forest is characterized as being cooler and drier than temperature forests, with long cold winters and short, wet summers.  Tropical dry forests have hot summers, and both wet and dry seasons. It is a transition zone between rainforests and the savanna. This biome grows valuable trees, such as teak, mahogany, and oaks.  Plants in the chaparral biome are adapted to the hot dry summers and frequent fires. The plants are mostly evergreen shrubs, with thick, hard leaves. Some plants can even sprout from fire-resistant roots within weeks of being burned.  The explanation for the unusual growth of these forests in this marginal habitat is that tree roots cannot the permafrost, so trees developed shallow root beds. This lack of a taproot would make the trees less stable and cause them to lean more easily.  The kind of tropical forest in a given area-boreal (coniferous) forest, deciduous forest, or rainforest-depends mostly on temperature and rainfall.  Frequent fires are a typical part of savannas and temperature  grasslands, not tropical forests. Tropical rainforests are known for their high biodiversity at all of these sites and much lower diversity at temperature deciduous and boreal  forest sites. The artic tundra gets little precipitation, but during the short summer seasons, the soil melts and becomes wet, with many insects, which binds use to feed their young.  Both plants and animals have that lived in the desert have to deal with the harsh environment’s lack of water and heat.  Temperature rainforests have heavy winter rains and summer fogs that  provide year-round moisture. Tropical savannas have highly seasonal rainfall, are subject to droughts, and are dominated by mostly grasses and scattered trees.  This biome supports vast herds of grazing animals and large predators. Temperate grasslands occur in areas that are too warm for coniferous forest and too dry for temperate forest, and with decreased precipitation.  The chaparral is one of the smallest biomes and is limited to coastal areas such as the Mediterranean sea, southern California, and Chile where winters are mild and wet, and summers are hot and dry.  The boreal (coniferous) forest lies between tundra and temperate broadleaf forest.