LAB REPORT REGARDING MAP READING (EXTENDED VERSION)

1. Moragli 1
ES1000 Summer Session
Moragli Zoi Eleni
Anastasia Misseyanni
First Lab Report
4 June 2013
Word Count: 3839
MAP READING AND GLOBAL TERRESTRIAL
BIOMES
Introduction
To begin with, the general motivation behind this lab activity was to acquaint us
with map information and reading. We should have figure out how to define
longitude, latitude and altitude for a given place on a chart, to measure distances
utilizing the scale on the chart and to portray land morphology dependent upon the
chart and its information. Also, after the particular lab activity we additionally should
be able to utilize qualified data from maps demonstrating worldwide convection cells,
wind and sea dissemination, inspect and illustrate the variables that influence the
atmosphere of a range, and at long last expect the sort of biome discovered around
there. Finally, we watched documentaries on worldwide physical biomes and we
should be able to utilize our perceptions to talk over the biotic group of the particular
biome.
Taking in consideration our lab activities (‘’Map Reading’’, ‘’Global Terrestrial
Biomes’’ and their combination as the third part) we gained some really important
information. Firstly, we learned the definitions of geographic maps, which are graphs
and paper representations of surface ranges of the Earth, furnishing a mixture of
thematic informative data and information with the utilization of realistic images and
graphic symbols. Geographic maps can also be found as physical maps; these maps
are providing geographic information referring to the mountains, the soil type or land
use containing infrastructure such as roads, railways and buildings (churches etc.),
whereas political map show territorial borders. Likewise, topographic maps show
altitudes and relief with contour lines or shading. Regarding these contour lines, the
isolines, we refer to information regarding constant values of altitudes, dimensions
downward, temperatures and precipitation. Moreover, all maps are attracted to a scale
with a degree. As a sample, a scale proportion of 1:100,000 implies that 1 unit of

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length (i.e. centimeter) on the map compares precisely to 100,000 of that same unit on
the ground. Furthermore, we learned that a world map is being defined as the map that
shows all the surface of the Earth or the most of it. In addition to the data we gain
from a chart, we also determined longitude as a horizontal scale/axis of the chart,
latitude which is being read from the vertical scale/axis of the chart and altitude which
is the elevation/height. Also, we got the meanings of the morphology, and the rock
types. When we are talking about morphology we are refering to the scientific studies
of landforms such as steepest parts (high density of contours on the map) and flattest
parts (low density of contours), etc. As for the rock types there three kinds:
sedimentary rock (formed by the deposition of material at the Earth's surface and
within bodies of water), metamorphic rock (arise from the transformation of
existing rock types, in a process called metamorphism, which means "change in
form”) and igneous rock (formed through the cooling
and solidification of magma or lava). Later on, we defined that convection cells are air
circulations in the lower atmosphere causing winds- horizontal air motion affecting
the levels of precipitation. As well we determined that prevaling winds are overall
winds that blow prevalently from a solitary general course over a specific focus on the
Earth's surface. The predominant winds are the patterns in heading of wind with the
most noteworthy speed over a specific focus on the Earth's surface. An area's
overarching and overwhelming winds are frequently influenced by worldwide
examples of development in the Earth's atmosphere. In general, easterly flow happens
at level and medium scopes internationally. In the mid-scopes, westerly winds are the
guideline and their quality is impressively dead set by the polar twister. In territories
where winds have a tendency to be light, the ocean breeze/land breeze cycle is the
most paramount to the overarching wind; in regions which have variable terrain,
mountain and valley breezes overwhelm the wind example. Exceedingly lifted
surfaces can instigate a thermal flat, which then increases the natural wind flow. Also,
we learned tha an ocean current is a ceaseless, administered development of sea water
created by the strengths following this mean flow, for example breaking waves, wind,
Coriolis impact, cabbeling, temperature and saltiness contrasts and tides initiated by
the gravitational force of the Moon and the Sun. Profundity shapes, shoreline setups
communicate with different flows affecting an ocean's current heading and quality.
An ocean current is any sea ebb and flow at a profundity of more terrific than 100m.
Sea ebbs and flows can stream for extraordinary distances, and together they make the
incredible stream of the conveyor belt which has predominant impact in confirming
the atmosphere of a number of the Earth's locales. Maybe the most striking case is the
Gulf Stream, which makes northwest Europe significantly more temperate than
whatever available area at the same scope. A different illustration is Lima, Peru,
where the atmosphere is cooler (sub-tropical) than the tropical scopes in which the
territory is spotted, because of the impact of the Humboldt Current.
Eventually we gained a lot of information regarding the Biomes and there
distribution. First of all, Biomes are climatically and geographically defined as similar

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climatic conditions on our Earth, such as communities of herbs, animals, and
underground soil organisms; they can also be defined as large ecosystems.
Materials and Procedure
Taking in consideration the material we used to complete the lab activities we utilized
a physical map of Greece with 1:1.000.000 scale, a physical of the greater Athens
area, a world map showing global convection cells, prevailing winds, ocean currents
and biome distribution, a tracing paper, rulers, color pencils and protractors, and at
last a projector, a personal computer and a DVD for the documentary part where we
watched the Planet Earth movie by BBC, a paper and a pen for our notes.
Regarding the 1st part’s Procedures we followed we obtained a physical map of
Greece and we had to determine the latitude and longitude of 4 different places
spotted on the chart, indicated by our instructor. Later on we had to measure some
distances by using the scale ratio by magnify or multiply the distance on paper in
order to calculate the distance on the ground. After that, by using a physical map of
Greece we measure the distance between two places indicated from our instructor.
Using the chart of the greater Athens we had to estimate the distances between
different places spotted by Ms. Misseyanni. Also, by using the greater Athens’ chart
we had to calculate the altitudes of some spotted areas by reading the map’s
information (using the contours and their density). Eventually, the last exercise had to
do with land morphology, where we had to identify a steep and a flat part on the
greater Athens’ chart are later on draw a picture of each part by using color pencils
and tracing papers.
The second part of our lab activities were about global terrestrial biomes, where we
had to watch the Planet Earth documentary by BBC and make notices regarding the
ecosystems and the location provided, the climate characteristics, the dominant plants
and animals; we had to identify, also, predator – prey relationships, mutualistic
relationships as well as competitive and the role of abiotic factors shown in the
documentary.
The last part of our lab activity was the combination of the above. Our instructor
provided our group with maps showing ocean currents, direction of winds and global
convection cells (Handley cells). We obtained a world map showing the parallels and
meridians of the Earth. Our instructor gave us a latitude and a longitude and by using
Google maps or by using thee
http://www.gorissen.info/Pierre/maps/googleMapLocation.php?lat=38&lon=24&setL

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atLon=Set or http://www.europe-camping-guide.com/get-longitude-latitude-google-
maps/ ), we located the point on the map and we tried to predict ocean circulation,
winds and global convection cells giving climate characteristics of the area around
that point concerning altitude, temperature, precipitation, winds, ocean currents, and
rain shadow effect. Also we had to define the type of biome that we expected to be
supported by the climate characteristics we observed. Later on we had to do an
internet search and identify the climate of the specific location and the type of biome
(vegetation and animals) we notice there by using the map showing the distribution of
global terrestrial biomes and compare our finding with our initial predictions.
Results
FIRST PART: MAP READING
A. POSITIONING
Place Latitude (degrees, mins.) Longitude (degrees,
mins.)
Ermoupoli, Syros 24 , 56 37, 25
Fira, Santorini 25, 45 36, 20
Patra 21, 40 38, 10
Dafni, Attikis 23, 25 38, 18
B. MEASURING DISTANCES
1.
Distance on the map Real Distance (kilometers)
5 cm on a map with a scale of
1:250.000
5*250.000
5 cm on a map with a scale of
1:200.000
5*200.000
15 cm on a map with a scale of
1:25.000
15*25.000

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2.
Places to Connect Distance on the Map Real Distance
(kilometers)
Patra-Athina 18,5 cm 185
3.
Places to Connect Distance on the map Real Distance
(kilometers)
Fili-Aghios Loukas
(Chalkis, Parnitha)
8,5 cm 8,5
Koropi- Pournari
(Peiraius)
5,5 cm 5,5
Ermoupoli-Rafina (Map
of Greece)
10,5 cm 105
C. ALTITUDE
Place Altitude
Aghios Nikolaos 707 m
Driza 754 m
Skimi 933 m
Potamaki 396 m
D. LAND MORPHOLOGY
1. Steep part (High density of contours)

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2. Flat Part (Low Density of Contours)
SECOND PART: GLOBAL TERRESTRIAL BIOMES
Ecosystem 1 Ecosystem 2 Ecosystem 3 Ecosystem 4 Ecosystem 5
Location,
characterization
(e.g. Tibetan
plateau)
New Guinea
(Papua Biome)
Temperate
Grasslands
Outer
Mongolia
Arctic Tundra East African
Savannah
(sustain over 2
million wild
beast)
Prairies of North
America
Climate
characteristics
Warm Tropical
Climate, high
levels of
continental
(middle
Cold except
for an 8 to 10
week growing
tropical wet and
dry climate
has seasonal
precipitation, 10
to 60 in/yr, and

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precipitation,
not enough sun
for
photosynthesis
(20%), the food
is widely spotted
latitudes)
between 10
and 20 inches
of precipitation
a year (snow)
serving
moisture for
the beginning
of the growing
season. Warm
to hot
summers.
season with
long days and
moderate
temperature
precipitation
levels are poor
and its soil is
thin and
underlain it is
permafrost
annual
precipitation
averages
between 30 and
50 inches
their soil is rich
and often deep.
Dominant plants Over 250
species of trees
(climber’s
strategy),
canopy, fig
Grass, phoenix low growing
sedges, dwarf
shrubs,
lichens,
mosses and
grasses
perennial
grasses
drought-
resistant, fire-
resistant, or
browse-resistant
trees
pen shrub layer
grass species,
from tall grasses
in areas with
higher
precipitation to
short grasses
where there are
low levels of
rainfall, bushes
and woodlands in
defused locations
Dominant animals Birds of
paradise,
tortoises,
tamarins,
squirrels,
capuchin,
uracontanges,
insects, frogs
Eagles,
Mongolian
gazelle, red-
billed quelea,
antelope,
lemmings,
arctic hares,
arctic foxes,
lynx, caribou,
musk ox,
whereas in but
in summer
there are
abundant
insects, many
migrant
shorebirds
such as snow
geese,
penguins and
ducks
Antelopes
eland, impalas,
gazelles oryx,
gerenuk, and
kudu. Buffalo,
wildebeest,
plains zebra,
rhinos, giraffes,
elephants, and
warthogs are
among other
herbivores
bison, goats; wild
horses;
kangaroos,
antelopes, rhinos,
warthogs, prairie
dogs, coyotes,
jackals, lions,
hyenas; termites

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Predator-prey
relationships
Monkeys
feeding with fig
and trees’ leaves
All the above
mammals are
eating the
grass
The fox eats
the egg of the
geese, and
later on the
ducklings,
wolf eats
caribou,
caribou eats
grass
Lions try to kill
an elephant
Lions as predators
among mammals
Mutualistic
relationships
Some trees have
mutualistic
relationship with
some climber
plant species
There is only
grass so there
are no
mutualistic
relationship
observed
There were no
mutualistic
relationship
observed
Up to sixteen
grazing and
browsing
species may
coexist in the
same area. They
divide the
resources
spatially and
temporally; each
having its own
food
preferences,
grazing/browsin
g height, time of
day or year to
use a given area,
and different dry
season refugia.
There were no
mutualistic
relationships
observed

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Competitive
relationships
A lot of
competition
among monkeys
species
regarding the
food;
competition
among plant
species for
reaching the sun
light
Competition
among the
migration
animals
(mammals
mostly) for
food
Competition
among the
snow-geese for
the nesting
spot
There were no
competitive
relationships
observed
There were no
competitive
relationships
observed
Role of abiotic
factor shown in
documentary
Sun light affects
the elements
cycles; it has a
low range so
photosynthesis
hardly takes
place
Grassland are
being affected
by fires caused
from thunders
The
temperature
change ( 8 to
10 weeks)
completes the
growing and
the nesting
season for
plenty of
species
(mostly
migration
birds)
For at least five
months of the
year, during the
dry season, less
than 4 inches a
month are
received. The
dry season is
associated with
the low sun
period.
frequent fires may
cause a lot of
problems such as
lack of food
THIRD PART: MAP READING, CLIMATE AND GLOBAL TERRESTRIAL
BIOMES
Information Requested Answer Source of information
(map used, internet source)
Latitude 40 degrees 5 minutes 52
seconds (NORTH)
World Latitude and Longitude Map
Longitude 22 degrees 29 minutes 22
seconds (EAST)
World Latitude and Longitude Map
Expected temperatures Temperate Knowledge skills
Expected precipitation levels High on winder low on Knowledge skills

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summer
Expected direction of winds North-Western Knowledge skills
Ocean current that might affect the
area
There are no ocean current
affecting the area
Oceanic circulation world map
Altitude and possible rain shadow
effect
Altitude: 2.917 meters
East rain shadow effect
Wikipedia and knowledge skills
Type of Biome expectedbased on the
above climate characteristics
Mediterranean Climate
Chaparral Biome
Course’s Slide on Chapter 7 (Biomes and
their Distribution)
Climate characteristics, based on
external sources (temperature,
precipitation, winds, ocean currents,
rain shadow effect, other)
Mid Temperature and
Precipitation, wet winders
with high rainfall and dry
summers with low rainfall,
with northwestern winds,
eastern rain shadow effect
and no ocean current
Course’s Slide on Chapter 7 (Biomes and
their Distribution)
Type of biome found in the area based
on map on global terrestrial biomes
Chaparral-Mediterranean
Biome World Map showing the Global Terrestrial
Biomes
Discussion
To begin with, it is important to be told that positioning, altitude and distance
measurements using a map scale, as well as morphology recognitions are really
crucial skills for a human. By having these skills we can make observations regarding
the climate (the temperature and the precipitation levels) based on the elevation and
positioning measurements and we can identify the fauna and flora of a particular area
by using the land morphology information concerning the soil’s and the rocks’
characteristics. Also by measuring distances by using the map’s scale is important
because we can notice the differences among distinct areas regarding their dominant
plant and animal life, their climate changes and their land morphology.
After all these lab activities, we made some really important observations where we
can make comments. Firstly, taking in consideration our measurements on the
Chalkis, Parnitha Mountain Chart, we observed that Parnitha Mountain has a diversity
of different elevations. For instance, Skimi has the highest elevation of 933 meters,
whereas Potamaki has the lowest of 396 meters; Aghios Nikolaos has a middle
elevation of 707 meters, as well as Driza with a little bit higher elevation of 759
meters. Also, we noticed that it has places with high and low density of contours, this
fact means that its morphology changes. As an example we draw two different
pictures regarding a flat and a steep part. The flat part had low density of contours,
whereas the steep part had high density of contours. The important is that the
contour’s density was changing as long as we were changing elevations. We observed

11. Moragli 11
that the flat parts were at low altitudes and the steep parts were at high altitudes. In
general we noticed that Parnitha Mountain extends in a large area, presenting variable
topography with several summits, gorges, streams and plateaus.
Furthermore, the last lab activity helped us to indentify some really important
characteristics of a particular given area. We used a lot of maps and information from
the documentary ‘’Planet Earth’’, BBC to make observation regarding the climate.
Really useful were the maps showing the prevailing winds the horizontal winds
produced by convection cells and affecting the precipitation levels. Near the equator
the precipitation was high because of the prevailing winds. These winds mostly are
being produced near the equator. This fact means that the areas around the equator
will have high precipitation levels and their ground might be more fertile, where as
the areas far from the equator will have the exact opposite. We also used a world map
showing the global terrestrial biomes and the ocean currents’ map, where we learned
and made observation regarding the temperature changes and of course the
precipitation levels as well as the flora and the fauna of the different biomes. We
categorized the biomes regarding their climate, their dominant vegetation and animal
life and their geographic distribution by using the world’s global terrestrial biomes
map, the convection cells’ map and the oceanic circulation map. More extensively,
deserts are very dry; they have hot days and cold nights and the rainfall is less than 10
in/yr leading to their porous soils. They are widely scattered thorny bushes and
shrubs, cacti. Have rodents, lizards, numerous insects, owls, hawks and small birds.
Deserts can be found in North and South West Africa, in parts of Middle East and
Asia, South West United State and northern Mexico. Grasslands and Prairies have
seasonal precipitation, 10 to 60 in/yr, they have frequent fires and their soil is rich and
often deep. Regarding their dominant vegetation, there we can find grass species,
from tall grasses in areas with higher precipitation to short grasses where there are
low levels of rainfall, bushes and woodlands in defused locations. Their dominant
animal life includes large grazing mammals: bison, goats; wild horses; kangaroos,
antelopes, rhinos, warthogs, prairie dogs, coyotes, jackals, lions, hyenas; termites who
are actually really important for this ecosystem. This Biome is being noticed in
Central North America, central Asia, subequatorial Africa and South America and
much more in southern India and northern Australia. Tropical rain forest it’s a non
seasonal Biome. It has annual average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius; its rainfall
is frequent and heavy over 95 in/yr; its soils are thin and poor in nutrients. Taking in
consideration its dominant vegetation we gain the information that in this particular
biome we find high diversity of broad-leafed evergreen trees, dense canopy, abundant
epiphytes and vines, whereas understory. Its dominant animal life includes exotic,
colorful insects, amphibians, birds, snakes as well as monkeys, small mammals, tigers
and jaguars. This Biome is spotted to Northern South America, Central America, and
western Africa, islands in India and Pacific Oceans as well as Southern Eastern Asia.
Temperate forests is a seasonal biome; its temperature below freezing in winter; its
summers are warm and humid and its precipitation fluctuates between 30 to 80 in/yr;
its soils are well developed. This Biome has broad-leafed deciduous trees and some

12. Moragli 12
conifers, and shrubby undergrowth, ferns, lichens and mosses. There we find animals
such as squirrels, raccoons, opossums, skunks, deer, foxes, black bears, snakes,
amphibians, rich soil micro biota, and birds. Temperate forests are located to Western
and Central Europe, eastern Asia and eastern North America. Reaching the end
Coniferous forests is a seasonal biome too. Its winters are long and cold; its
precipitation is light in winter and heavier in summer, its soils are acidic and there is a
lot of humus and litter on the ground. There we notice Coniferous trees (spruce, fir,
pine, hemlock) and some deciduous trees (birch and maple). Coniferous forests
Biome has a diversity of large herbivores such as mule, deer, moose, elk; mice, hares,
squirrels; lynx, bears, foxes, fishers, marten. Also they are important because they
appear to be nesting areas for neo tropical birds. A biome like this is located to
northern portion of North America, Europe, and Asia and to extended southward high
altitudes. Finally, the last Biome is Tundra. It has bitter cold except for an 8 to 10
week growing season with long days and moderate temperatures. Its precipitation
levels are poor and its soil is thin and underlain it is permafrost. Tundra has low
growing sedges, dwarf shrubs, lichens, mosses and grasses. Its dominant animal life
contains (year round) lemmings, arctic hares, arctic foxes, lynx, caribou, musk ox,
whereas in summer there are abundant insects, many migrant shorebirds such as snow
geese, penguins and ducks. It can be spotted to North of the coniferous forest in
northern hemisphere, extending southward at altitudes above the coniferous forests.
Finally concerning the given area of my group we used a lot of the above information
to characterize its climate. First of all our given area was Mt. Olympus. Olympus is
the tallest mountain in Greece. It is the most noteworthy mountain in Greece, spotted
in the Olympus Range on the outskirt between Thessaly and Macedonia. Mount
Olympus has 52 peaks, the most astounding crest Mytikas, significance "nose",
ascents to 2,917 m. It is one of the most elevated crests in Europe regarding
topographic prominence. Also, Mt. Olympus is noted for its exceptionally rich
vegetation with a few animal categories. It is a National Park of Greece and a World's
Biosphere Reserve. Olympus Mountain is included in the Chaparral- Mediterranean
Biome. Its temperature can be characterized as temperate. It has wet winders with
high precipitation and dry summers with low precipitation. Fortunately, there are no
ocean currents that might affect its climate and the prevailing winds are moving North
Western. By using our knowledge skills concerning the prevailing winds we conclude
that Mt. Mountain is being suffering from the rain shadow effect at its eastern side.
This fact means that the western high will have high precipitation and as a
consequence diversity of plant and animal species (temperate forests etc.), whereas
the eastern side will not have high precipitation to support the biodiversity of the
western side’s (maybe we can only find grass species there as well as shrubs and other
short vegetation).

13. Moragli 13
Conclusion
The particular lab activities were a success. We familiarized ourselves with map
information and reading. We figured out how to define longitude, latitude and altitude
for a given place on a chart, to measure distances utilizing the scale on the chart and
to portray land morphology dependent upon the chart and its information. Also, after
the particular lab activity we are able to utilize qualified data from maps
demonstrating worldwide convection cells, wind and sea dissemination, inspect and
illustrate the variables that influence the atmosphere of a range, and at long last expect
the sort of biome discovered around there. Finally, by watching documentaries on
worldwide physical biomes and we are, now, able to utilize our perceptions to talk
over the biotic group of a particular biome.
Work Cited
 The given slides of the course; Chapter 7
Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity, based on the textbook “Living in the
Environment: Concepts, Connections and Solutions” by G. Tyler Miller and
Scott E. Spoolman
 Wikipedia
 World Map showing the Global Terrestrial Biomes
 World Map showing the Convection Cells-Prevailing Winds
 A map of Greater Athens
 World Map showing Ocean Currents
 Google Maps