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Ecospheres

Explore the delicate balance of a closed ecosystem like Earth through the EcoSphere display. This working ecological system showcases shrimp, algae, and microorganisms living in a filtered sea water environment, highlighting the essential elements found on our planet. The biological cycle within the EcoSphere mirrors Earth's ecosystem, demonstrating the interconnectedness of light, oxygen production, waste breakdown, and nutrient utilization. Discover how long an EcoSphere can thrive and learn from this analogy.

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Ecospheres

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  1. Ecospheres A Classroom Analogy to Easter Island or Earth

  2. How EcoSpheres WorkThe EcoSphere is a display of a working ecological system. While it is beautiful to view, it also demonstrates the delicate balance of a closed ecosystem like the Earth. Contained within the completely sealed glass is a small variety of shrimp, algae, and microorganisms living in a filtered sea water environment.The EcoSphere contains some of the same essential elements that are found on our planet. The Earth is represented by the gravel at the bottom with water filling two-thirds of the system while air fills the balance of the space. Fire is the light, which streams in each day. Finally, life: the algae, shrimp and microbes that float and swim in the water.The EcoSphere's biological cycle represents a simple version of Earth's' own ecosystem. Light together with carbon dioxide in the water enable the algae to produce oxygen by photosynthesis. The shrimp breathe the oxygen in the water while nibbling on the algae and bacteria. The bacteria break down the animal waste into nutrients, which the algae utilize. The shrimp and bacteria also give off carbon dioxide, which the algae again use to produce oxygen. And so the cycle renews itself.

  3. What is in the EcoSphere?Along with the shrimp there are algae and filtered sea water. The EcoSphere also contains gorgonia and gravel as a part of the working ecosystem. Gorgonia, the non-living branch like material, and the gravel are surface area in the ecosystem. The gorgonia and gravel are also a hiding place for microorganisms - a place where they can not be eaten by the shrimp. All other areas in the water are accessible by the animals. By having more surface area for the bacteria to grow on the eco-system has the ability to break down more of the waste materials.

  4. A Stream or Pond Analogy

  5. How Long will They Live?The average life of the small sphere and small pod is 2-3 years. The other units tend to last longer because they have more shrimp. The life expectancy of these shrimp is known to exceed 5 years. We do not know how long your EcoSphere will live due to different light and temperature conditions throughout the country; and we do not know the exact age of the shrimp when an EcoSphere is made. The oldest EcoSpheres are now over 8 years old and are still going strong. Some systems without shrimp are still living even after 18 years. As long as there is one shrimp alive in the EcoSphere, it is a functioning unit.

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