Biomes and Plants of South America Activities

South America is a continent of extraordinary biodiversity, boasting a wide range of climates, terrains, and, consequently, an incredibly diverse array of biomes and plant life. From the humid rainforests of the Amazon to the arid deserts of the coast, the continent offers a rich tapestry of ecological environments. The Plants and Biomes of South America Printable provides factual information about the diverse biomes and plant life of South America. This resource allows students to explore the continent’s varied environments and the unique plant species that thrive within them. This resource offers hands-on learning through materials, fostering independence, and encouraging observation and exploration.

Plants of South America 3 Part Cards Information Sort Biome Montessori Nature Printable

South America is an incredible continent that is home to a vast array of plants and animals that have adapted to live in the diverse environments found here.

What is a Biome?

A biome is a large region of the world with its own unique set of plants and animals that are adapted to the specific climate and environment. There are several major biomes: desert, rainforest, grassland, tundra, taiga, marine, wetlands, deciduous forest, and tundra.

The Biomes of Sou t h America

Amazon Rainforest Biome
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering over 5.5 million square kilometers (2.1 million square miles). It’s home to an incredible array of plant species, including over 40,000 different types of trees! The Amazon is like a giant jungle, with dense foliage and towering trees that block out most of the sunlight. The climate is hot and humid, with frequent rainfall.

Plant Adaptations:

Strangler figs have roots that wrap around trees, eventually killing them and providing a home for the fig.
Cecropia trees have leaves with tiny holes that help to reduce water loss.
Bromeliads have cupped leaves that collect water and create a mini-ecosystem.
Interesting Fact: The Amazon Rainforest is so large that it produces 20% of the world’s oxygen!

Andes Mountain Biome
The Andes Mountain range runs along the western edge of South America, from Venezuela to Chile. The mountains are home to a variety of plant species that have adapted to the high altitude and cold climate. The Andes are also home to many glaciers and snow-capped peaks.

Plant Adaptations:

Polylepis trees are able to survive in the harsh Andean climate, with thin leaves and a low-growing habit.
Queneso is a shrub that produces small, edible fruits.
Gentian plants have brightly colored flowers that attract bees and other pollinators.
Interesting Fact: The Andes are the longest mountain range in the world!

Savannas and Grasslands Biome
The savannas and grasslands of South America, also known as the Pampas, cover a vast area of Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. The climate is temperate, with mild winters and warm summers. The landscape is dominated by grasses and shrubs.

Plant Adaptations:

Pampas grass is a tall, feathery grass that grows up to 4 meters (13 feet) tall.
Yerba mate is a shrub that produces a type of tea that’s popular in Argentina and Uruguay.
Aloe veras grow in the dry areas of the savannas, and their leaves store water to help them survive.
Interesting Fact: The Pampas are home to many wild horses, which are descended from horses introduced by European settlers.

Desert Biome
The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the driest places on Earth, with some areas receiving as little as 0.01 inches (0.25 mm) of rainfall per year! The desert is also home to a variety of cacti and succulents that have adapted to store water and survive in the harsh conditions.

Plant Adaptations:

Copiapoa is a type of cactus that stores water in its stem and can survive for months without rain.
Echium is a succulent that has leaves that store water and protect it from the wind.
Chilean wine palm is a palm tree that stores water in its trunk and can survive in dry conditions.
Interesting Fact: The Atacama Desert is one of the oldest deserts on Earth, with fossil evidence showing that it existed over 20 million years ago.

Freshwater Biome
The freshwater biomes of South America include rivers, lakes, and wetlands, such as the Pantanal in Brazil and Bolivia. These areas are home to a wide variety of aquatic plants, including water lilies and cattails.

Plant Adaptations:

Floating plants like water hyacinth and duckweed have roots that float on the surface of the water.
Submerged plants like hornwort and coontail have roots that attach to rocks or the riverbed.
Water lilies have leaves that float on the surface of the water, and flowers that bloom above the water.
Interesting Fact: The Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland, covering over 140,000 square kilometers (54,000 square miles).

The biomes of South America are an incredible array of diverse plant and animal communities that have adapted to the unique environments found here. From the Amazon Rainforest to the Atacama Desert, each biome offers a fascinating glimpse into the natural world. By learning about these amazing biomes, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and our place within it.

Learning Activities

Diorama Construction. Create a miniature environment.

Materials: Paper, pencils, pens, glue.

Select a biome (e.g., Amazon rainforest, Andes, savanna, etc.). Draw or depict a habitat from a biome on a piece of paper. Decorate with crayons, markers, and construction paper. Use the internet and online tools to find the plants or animals that live in the region. Create a model of a plant or an animal. Paste the paper on the diorama.

Make a Terrarium

Materials: Small glass containers, soil, plants, and possibly some small animals like butterflies or fish. How-to: Set up a habitat for a plant with a model of the selected animal. Place the soil in the glass container. Add the plants. Add the model of the selected animal.

Plant a Seed

Materials: Seed, soil, pot, water.

Select a seed that has been adapted to the environment. Plant the seed in a pot. Place in a sunny location and water the plant. Track the plant’s progress.

Biomes & Plant Adaptations Investigation

Choose a biome to research. Research the biomes and plant adaptations. Discuss with other students the biomes and plants. Identify and describe the plant adaptations. Create a report or presentation.

Biomes Exploration

Research the biomes, maps, and internet.

Choose a biome, for example, the Amazon Rainforest. Research the plants, animals, and climate of this biome. Explore the biome and plants to get to know more about them.

Here’s a set of task cards suitable for children aged 6-9.

Task Card Examples:

Amazon Rainforest:

Research: Find five animals that live in the Amazon rainforest. Write down their names.
Draw: Draw a picture of a plant from the Amazon rainforest.
Compare and contrast the Amazon Rainforest and the Andes Mountain biomes. Write down three similarities and three differences.
Explore: Explain how that plant is adapted to the warm, wet climate of the rainforest.
Create: Create a diorama.

Andes Mountain:

Research: What plants do you find in the Andes Mountains? Name three.
Draw: Draw the Andes Mountains.
Explore: How do these plants survive in the cold, high altitudes of the Andes?
Create: Create a diorama.

Savanna:

Research: Find five animals that live in the savanna.
Draw: Draw your favorite animal from the savanna.
Explore: Find out how plants survive on the savanna.
Create: Create a diorama.

Desert:

Research: Find three plants that live in the desert.
Draw: Draw one of the plants.
Explore: How do these plants survive in the desert?
Create: Create a diorama.

Freshwater Biome:

Research: Name five plants that live in the freshwater biome.
Draw: Draw a picture of a plant.
Explore: How does the plant live in the water?
Choose two plants that live in different biomes. Compare and contrast their characteristics.
Create: Create a diorama.

Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast different biomes, animals, or plants. This visual tool will help children see the similarities and differences between the subjects.

Tips for the Educator

Use colorful illustrations, exciting facts, and hands-on activities to keep the children engaged.
Break down complex information into bite-sized chunks for easier understanding.
Foster a curious environment where kids feel comfortable asking questions and exploring the world.
Provide different activities and materials to meet the needs of all children.
When conducting the activities, include opportunities for kids to observe the plants, animals, and their adaptations. They can record this information to increase their knowledge.
Sprinkle in interesting facts to make the learning process fun and interesting. Connect to Real Life: Encourage children to connect what they learn with their own lives and experiences.

I hope these activities and task cards help your students learn about the amazing world of South American biomes.

Using the Plants and Biomes of South America Resource

The Plants & Biomes of South America printable can be used in several ways to enhance student learning:

Three-Part Cards: Use the cards to introduce vocabulary, associate plant names with images, and provide factual information. Encourage students to match pictures with names and descriptions.
Map Work: Use the map to locate the different biomes of South America and connect plant distributions to their respective environments.
Sorting Activities: Sort the cards by biome, matching plants to their correct habitat. This reinforces understanding of environmental relationships.
Research and Exploration: Encourage further research on specific plants and biomes. Use books, videos, and online resources to deepen student knowledge.
Creative Expression: Encourage students to draw, paint, or create models of South American plants and biomes.

By introducing students to the diverse biomes and plant life of South America, this Montessori resource aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world. This approach encourages observation, exploration, and a lifelong love of learning. The detailed and accurate information provided here, combined with the hands-on nature of the resource, will provide a solid foundation for understanding South America’s fascinating ecosystems.

Plants and Biomes of South America Map 3 Part Cards Sort Facts

$8.00

This Plants and Biomes of South America printable resource introduces young learners to the fascinating world of South American plants. This Plants of South America themed set provides hands-on learning materials for science exploration.