Biosphere

The biosphere is the area of ​​distribution of life on Earth. This is a global ecosystem that includes all ecosystems on the planet.

The term "biosphere" was coined by the Austrian geologist and meteorologist Eduard Suess in 1875. However, the greatest contribution to the development of the doctrine of the biosphere was made by the Russian scientist Vladimir Vernadsky in the 1920-1930s.

The biosphere covers the lower part of the atmosphere, the entire hydrosphere and the upper part of the lithosphere. Its upper boundary passes at an altitude of 15-20 km above sea level, the lower boundary is located at a depth of about 5 km in the earth's crust.

The main components of the biosphere are:

  1. The atmosphere that contains the carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen necessary for life.

  2. The hydrosphere, represented by oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, swamps and other water bodies.

  3. The lithosphere provides living organisms with minerals.

  4. Soil is a special bio-inert system that serves as a habitat for numerous organisms.

  5. Living organisms - plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms.

Thus, the biosphere is a single global ecosystem of the Earth, in which living and inanimate nature closely interact. The future of all life on the planet depends on its integrity and sustainability.