Exploring the Ecological Diversity of Texas

Exploring the Ecological Diversity of Texas

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to describe the different types of ecoregions in the state of Texas.

What do you already know about the different ecoregions in Texas?

Introduction to Texas Ecoregions

Texas is home to diverse ecoregions including the Piney Woods, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, and South Texas Plains.

Piney Woods

The Piney Woods ecoregion is characterized by dense forests, abundant rainfall, and a variety of plant and animal species.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes

This ecoregion consists of coastal prairies, marshes, and wetlands, providing habitat for diverse bird species and marine life.

South Texas Plains

The South Texas Plains feature a semi-arid climate with diverse vegetation and wildlife, including iconic species like the Texas horned lizard.

Edwards Plateau

The Edwards Plateau ecoregion is characterized by limestone hills, canyons, and rivers, supporting a unique blend of flora and fauna.

Rolling Plains

This ecoregion features rolling terrain, grasslands, and agricultural areas, contributing to the state's agricultural productivity.

Chihuahuan Desert

The Chihuahuan Desert in Texas is characterized by arid conditions, cacti, and unique desert wildlife, such as the roadrunner and javelina.

Conclusion and Review

Summarize the key characteristics of each ecoregion and review the diverse ecological features of Texas.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.