Biosphere Definition – The biosphere is the part of the Earth where living beings thrive and exist. It encompasses all ecosystems on the planet and includes both non-living elements, such as sunlight and water, and living organisms. The biosphere is distinguished from the Earth’s other spheres (atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere) as it is the only one capable of sustaining life. The biosphere encompasses the regions where all living organisms can be found and can be considered as the sum of all ecosystems on the Earth.
Organization of Biosphere:
The biosphere refers to all life and living organisms on Earth. It is comprised of five levels of organization: biomes, ecosystems, species communities, populations, and individual organisms. Biomes are large areas classified into tundra, grassland, forests, deserts, and aquatic biomes. An ecosystem includes both living and non-living components and functions as a unit. A species community refers to the collection of interacting organisms in a specific area and time. A population refers to all members of a species in a single habitat, which can range from a few to thousands. Finally, organisms are the living entities of the biosphere.
Biome:
A biome is a broad region characterized by specific plant and animal communities that are adapted to the environmental conditions. Climate, including latitude and geography, plays a significant role in determining the dominant plant life in terrestrial biomes. The presence of biomes is dependent on environmental factors, such as temperature and moisture, which must support the dominant species.
Types of Biome:
Ecosystem
Natural ecosystems are self-sustaining systems that function without human intervention. They can be divided into two main habitats: terrestrial ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts, and aquatic ecosystems, including freshwater (lakes, rivers, etc.) and marine (oceans, seas, etc.). The freshwater ecosystem has no salt content, while the marine ecosystem has a higher salt content and greater biodiversity. On the other hand, artificial ecosystems are created and managed by humans for specific purposes, such as croplands, man-made lakes, and urban areas.