Biospheres

The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. The biosphere extends from the deepest root systems of trees, to the dark environment of ocean trenches, to lush rain forests and high mountaintops.

Scientists describe the Earth in terms of spheres. The solid surface layer of the Earth is the lithosphere. The atmosphere is the layer of air that stretches above the lithosphere. The Earth’s water—on the surface, in the ground, and in the air—makes up the hydrosphere. 

Since life exists on the ground, in the air, and in the water, the biosphere overlaps all these spheres. Although the biosphere measures about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from top to bottom, almost all life exists between about 500 meters (1,640 feet) below the ocean’s surface to about 6 kilometers (3.75 miles) above sea level.

(taken from National Geographic)

During the next few weeks in STEM, you'll be creating a digital model of each of these systems, and exploring how they all fit together.  Sam will be helping you figure out how to best display and explain their interactions.

Today, we're going to take a closer look at the components of the biosphere in particular, and how the biosphere intersects the other three systems.

 Your Turn!  The example above uses Fluffy the Rabbit... you choose your favorite animal, and create your own chart.