Chapter 15

The Biosphere

The Biosphere

• The biosphere is the part of the earth where life exists– The hydrosphere is all of Earth’s ice, water and

vapor– The atmosphere is the air blanketing Earth’s solid

and liquid surfaces– The geosphere includes all of the features of

Earth’s surface (continents, rocks and seafloor) and everything below Earth’s surface

The Biosphere (cont’d)

• Biotic and abiotic factors interact and affect on another in the biosphere– The Gaia Hypothesis proposes that Earth is a kind

of living organism in which the hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere and atmosphere are interacting systems that maintain one another’s balances.• Examples: deforestation leads to erosion, surplus of

CO2 spurs plant growth

How does climate affect you?

• What crops do we grow in this area of the country?

• Do you think other crops would do as well here? Why or why not?

Weather vs. Climate

• Weather – the day to day condition of earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place

• Climate – the average year after year conditions based on temperature and precipitation in a particular region

• What affect does the sun have on weather?• What affect does topography have on climate?

Climate and Microclimate

• Microclimate is a small area within a climate that differs significantly in temperature, rainfall totals, etc.

• Examples: near Ohio River, Whidbey Island, rooftop gardens

The Influence of Sunlight

The Greenhouse Effect

• What happens to the inside of a car on a hot day?

• The sun unevenly heats the earth’s atmosphere and affects wind and water currents around the globe

Other Factors that Shape Climate

• Air and water movement, which responds to the uneven heating of Earth’s surface by the sun

• Landmasses such as mountain ranges

Major Biomes pg 463

• Tropical Rain Forest• Tropical Dry Forest• Tropical Savannah• Desert• Temperate Grassland• Temperate Woodland and Shrubland• Temperate Forest• Northwestern Coniferous Forest• Boreal Forest (Taiga)• Tundra

What Makes a Biome?

Biome Map of North America

Aquatic Ecosystems

• Important components of aquatic ecosystems are temperature, depth, flow and water chemistry

• Three types:– Freshwater– Marine– Estuary

Aquatic Ecosystems of the US

Freshwater Ecosystems

• Include the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Lake Cumberland, Ohio River, the Everglades

• Three types:– Flowing water– Standing water• Characterized by the presence of plankton and

phytoplankton

– Wetlands

Estuaries

• Wetlands formed where rivers meet the sea• Contain a mixture of fresh and salt water• Detritus is a major player in estuaries• Serve as breeding grounds• Important migratory stops• Examples: Mangrove swamps and salt

marshes

Marine Ecosystems

• Photic zone vs Aphotic zone• Intertidal zone• Coastal Zone• Coral Reefs• Open Ocean• Benthic Zone

Intertidal zone

Oceanic Zones

Homework – DUE Wednesday

• Pick a current scientific theory that explains the decline of water levels in the Great Lakes. (ex. Dredging of rivers, evaporation, wave patterns, lack of ice cover, etc.)

• Construct a rough thesis statement that you might want to use for your paper.

• Find two scientific references that you would like to use for your paper.