Teaching the Process of Research in a Physical Geography Course: Climate Controls on Biomes

Keywords: biomes, teaching research, physical geography
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

This presentation has two parts. 1. A research project on biomes and climate, and 2. Lessons learned on teaching research in an upper division biogeography class. For Part 1, the Whittaker (1975) Diagram shows where biomes are found in a graph of annual precipitation and temperature. We now have the data to test the accuracy of this graph. Using global climate data from WorldClim and World Wildlife Fund Ecoregions, each biome was evaluated by the hypothesis: 90% of points fit inside the boundaries given by Whittaker. In Part 2, nine students were led through the process of doing research. All students had GIS experience before the class began. The hypothesis was provided, and each student was assigned a biome to test. Most analysis was done during class time (i.e., a flipped class). They started with instructions on keeping research notes, followed by a short proposal (outline provided), first draft of paper, and final draft, with considerable feedback at each step and an emphasis on proper formatting. Students received minimal instruction on how to do the GIS analysis; they learned to solve problems as a group. The class was reasonably effective in preparing students to do research and write reports either in a job or in graduate school.