Unit 1 Ecosystem Interactions and Energy Mr Gomez

Unit 1: Ecosystem Interactions and Energy Mr. Gomez Living Earth

Earth’s spheres • Four major parts of Earth work together as a complex system: rocks, water, air, and life. On a global scale, each part can be thought of as a sphere, roughly the same size and shape as the planet. The four parts are called the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

Hydrosphere • The hydrosphere contains all the solid, liquid, and gaseous water of the planet. • A small portion of the water in the hydrosphere is fresh (nonsalty). This water flows as precipitation from the atmosphere down to Earth's surface, as rivers and streams along Earth's surface, and as groundwater beneath Earth's surface. Most of Earth's fresh water, however, is frozen.

Atmosphere • The atmosphere contains all the air in Earth's system. • The upper portion of the atmosphere protects the organisms of the biosphere from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It also traps heat. When air temperature in the lower portion of this sphere changes, weather occurs.

Geosphere • The geosphere includes the rocks and minerals on Earth – from the molten rock and heavy metals in the deep interior of the planet to the sand on beaches and peaks of mountains. The geosphere also includes the abiotic (non-living) parts of soils, and the skeletons of animals that may become fossilized over geologic time.

Biosphere • The biosphere is defined as the sphere or area around the planet Earth where life exists. This zone of life is vast. Most lifeforms live on or near the surface of Earth. However, some live deep within the hydrosphere (oceans, lakes and streams), while others thrive in the depths of the lithosphere (solid portion of Earth).