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Learn about Earth's interconnected biosphere, ecosystems, climate zones, and factors shaping climates in this educational overview.
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KEY CONCEPT The biosphere is one of Earth’s four interconnected systems.
The biosphere is the portion of Earth that is inhabited by life. • The biosphere includes all ecosystems. • one of Earth’s systems • includes the biota, all the living things in the biosphere
There are three other Earth systems. • hydrosphere—water, ice, and water vapor • atmosphere—air blanketing Earth’s solid and liquid surface • geosphere—geologic features above and below Earth’s surface
Biotic and abiotic factors interact in the biosphere. • All four Earth systems are interconnected. • The Gaia hypothesis considers Earth as a kind of living organism. • Earth systems interact to yield a biosphere capable of supporting life. • It was developed by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis.
KEY CONCEPT Climate is a key abiotic factor that affects the biosphere.
Climate is the prevailing weather of a region. • Climate is the long-term pattern of weather conditions. • average temperature • precipitation • relative humidity • Key factors shape an area’s climate. • temperature • sunlight • water • wind
A microclimate is the climate of a small specific place within a larger area.
Earth has three main climate zones. • The three main zones are the polar, tropical, and temperate climates. • polar climate: the far northernand southern regions ofEarth • tropical zone: surrounds the equator • temperate zone: the wide area in betweenthe polar and tropical zones
90 N polar temperate tropical temperate polar • The angle of the Sun’s rays help determine an area’s climate.
Solar heating causes movements in both water and air. • wind • ocean current • Warm air and warm water are less dense than cooler air and water, and therefore they rise. • Earth’s rotation, water temperature and salinity levels also interact to form currents. • Earth’s tilt on its axis plays a role in seasonal change.
Landmasses also shape climates. • Areas closer to water have a different climate than areas further away because land tends to heat and cool more quickly. Inland Areas: • larger changes in temperatures • less precipitation Coastal Areas: • smaller changes in temperatures • higher humidity • more precipitation
western slope eastern slope • Mountains have an effect on climate. • As warm, moist air nears a mountain, it rises and cools. • Precipitation occurs on the side of the mountain facing the wind. • On the downwind side, drier and cooler air produce a rain shadow. • A rain shadow is an area of decreased precipitation.
Many organisms survive in a specific climate due to their adaptations. • Water holding frog • Lives in dry grassland and desserts of Australia, rainy season once a year. • Frog survives by burrowing underground where water evaporates more slowly. • Moisture loss is further reduced by a cocoonlike structure formed from the frogs shed skin.