Biosphere

Author: Dr Kelvin Klemm

( Article Type: Explanation )

The biosphere is the envelope around the Earth, containing the life-supporting systems of the planet. So all the soil, inland water, and the sea form part of the biosphere. The air space in which the birds fly is definitely part of the biosphere and so is some of the atmosphere above 'bird-height' because that part of the atmosphere is linked to weather patterns, which affect life.

The part of the high upper atmosphere near where satellites orbit is not part of the biosphere, but there is no hard and fast rule as to how high the biosphere extends. Similarly, on land, the biosphere includes the soil area, and also the depth to which the deepest roots of large trees penetrate. The seabed, even in the deepest places, is also part of the biosphere.

The biosphere is an area of complex interactions, which all collectively function to keep the Earth in the state that Mother Nature intended.