| For other uses, see Biosphere (disambiguation).September 1997 to August 2000.The biosphere is the part of the Earth, including air, land, surface rocks, and water, within which life occurs, and which biotic processes in turn alter or transform.From the broadest biophysiological point of view, the biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.This biosphere is postulated to have evolved, beginning through a process of biogenesis or biopoesis, at least some 3.Biomass accounts for about 3.Origin and use of the term
1.The place on earth's surface where life dwells.The biosphere's ecological context comes from the 1920s (see Vladimir I.Vernadsky defined ecology as the science of the biosphere.It is an interdisciplinary concept for integrating astronomy, geophysics, meteorology, biogeography, evolution, geology, geochemistry, hydrology and, generally speaking, all life and earth sciences.Some life scientists and earth scientists use biosphere in a more limited sense.For example, geochemists define the biosphere as being the total sum of living organisms (the "biomass" or "biota" as referred to by biologists and ecologists).In this sense, the biosphere is but one of four separate components of the geochemical model, the other three being lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.Some might prefer the word ecosphere, coined in the 1960s, as all encompassing of both biological and physical components of the planet.The Second International Conference on Closed Life Systems defined biospherics as the science and technology of analogs and models of Earth's biosphere; i.Gaia's biosphere
The concept that the biosphere is itself a living organism, either actually or metaphorically, is known as the Gaia hypothesis.James Lovelock, an atmoshperic scientist from the United Kingdom, proposed the Gaia hypothesis to explain how biotic and abiotic factors interact in the biosphere.Its atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere are cooperating systems that yield a biosphere full of life.Lynn Margulis, a microbiologist from the United States, added to the hypothesis specifically noting the ties between the biosphere and other Earth systems.For example, when carbon dioxide levels increase in the atmosphere, plants grow more quickly.Many scientists are now devoting their careers to organizing new fields of study, such as geobiology and geomicrobiology, to examine these intriguing relationships.Extent of Earth's biosphere
Nearly every part of the planet, from the polar ice caps to the Equator, supports life of some kind.The actual thickness of the biosphere on earth is hard to measure.Geese migrate at altitudes of at least 8,300 meters (over Mount Everest); Yaks live at elevations between 3,200 to 5,400 meters above sea level; mountain goats live up to 3,050 meters.Microscopic organisms live at such extremes that, taking them into consideration puts the thickness of the biosphere much greater, but at minimum it extends from 5,400 meters above sea level to at least 9,000 meters below sea level.Our biosphere is divided into a number of biomes, inhabited by broadly similar flora and fauna.Biosphere 1, 2, 3 and J
When the word Biosphere is followed by a number, it is usually referring to a specific system.Comer Geochemistry building at Columbia University's Lamont Campus in Palisades, New York."Closed ecological system and method for supporting life", retrieved October 1, 2007.From Biosphere to Semiosphere to Social Lifeworlds.Barbieri (ed) Biosemiotic Research Trends, New York,pp.This page was last modified 03:02, 22 January 2008.Biosphere 2 is a 3.Oracle, Arizona (USA) by Space Biosphere Ventures, a company whose principal officers were John Polk Allen and Margret Augustine.Constructed between 1987 and 1991, it was used to explore the complex web of interactions within life systems.It also explored the possible use of closed biospheres in space colonization, and allowed the study and manipulation of a biosphere without harming Earth's.The name comes from the idea that it is modeled on the first biosphere, which is the life system on Earth.Heating and cooling water circulated through independent piping systems, and electrical power was supplied from a natural gas energy center through airtight penetrations.By 2006, the structure was no longer maintained in an airtight state, and the property, which is in exurban Tucson, was slated to be redeveloped for a planned community.The Biosphere itself will remain open for tours.On June 26, 2007, the University of Arizona announced it would be taking over research at the Biosphere 2.Engineering
3 Science
3.No data were gathered that might have been useful in estimating whether the Biosphere itself was capable of sustaining eight people for two years.The crew were medical doctor and researcher Roy Walford, Jane Poynter, Taber MacCallum, Mark Nelson, Sally Silverstone, Abigail Alling (a late replacement for Silke Schneider), Mark Van Thillo and Linda Leigh.The medical officer, crew member Dr.Two injections were added, on January 13 and August 26.In addition, the overall quantity of carbon installed in the soil at the beginning of the experiment was too high.According to the general biology textbook "Biology" by Neil Campbell and Jane Reece, Biosphere 2 suffered also from CO2 levels that "fluctuated wildly" and that most of the vertebrate species and all of the pollinating insects died.Ed Bass' company Decisions Investment.Soon after that, the captain Norberto Romo (by then married to Margret Augustine) left the Biosphere.The ownership and management company Space Biospheres Ventures was officially dissolved on June 1.The mission was ended prematurely on 6 September 1994.Columbia University
In 1995 the Biosphere 2 owners transferred management to Columbia University.Columbia ran Biosphere 2 as a research site until 2003, at which time management reverted to the owners.During Columbia's tenure, Columbia students would often spend one semester at the site.Site sold
On January 10, 2005 Decisions Investments Corporation, owners of Biosphere 2, announced that the Biosphere 2 campus was for sale.Under new management
On June 26, 2007, the University of Arizona announced that it would take over management of Biosphere 2, using the site as a laboratory to study climate change, among other things.Original Biosphere financier Edward P.Biosphere 2 from the inside.The Coastal Fog Desert section of Biosphere on 2 August 2005.Like Project Apollo, Biosphere 2 is an achievement of engineering more than science.Odum (1999) represents the most comprehensive assemblage of collected papers and findings from Biosphere 2.The book "Biosphere 2: Research Past and Present" (ISBN 0080432085, 330 pp.Opinions differ as to whether this constituted "cheating" or in some way degraded the science that was taking place.Ghillean Prance, director of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, designed the rainforest biome inside the Biosphere.Was the Biosphere a scientific experiment or a business venture?Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), and they, of course, felt that Biosphere 2 was about science, or else what were they there for?The faction that included Poynter felt strongly that they should be making formal proposals for research for the SAC to evaluate.Poynter made Chris Helms, PR Director for the enterprise, aware of this.She was promptly dismissed by Margret Augustine, CEO of Space Biospheres Ventures, and told to come out of the biosphere.This order was, however, never carried out.Results
As with all experiments, whether considered successes or failures, the results have proved informative; in the case of Biosphere 2, the experimenters learned that small, closed ecosystems are complex and vulnerable to unplanned events.In a strictly business evaluation, Biosphere 2 has to be judged a failure of management.Eden Project
Jane Poynter, crewmember of first Biosphere 2 enclosure.Taber MacCallum, the Biosphere 2 team's analytical chemist.The song 'Old Black Dawning' by Frank Black is about Biosphere 2.Bio Square, Arnold and Helga spend a weekend locked in his grandfather's greenhouse, for a school science project similar in concept to Biosphere 2.In the film The Fountain, the vessel belonging to the character Tom (seen in the future) could be considered a small, spaceworthy biosphere.External links
Official Website
Website on biospherics and Biosphere 2
Patent for "Pressure balancing a closed ecological system".Patent for the expanding chambers used to equalize pressure in Biosphere 2.Biosphere 2 photos
Paragon Space Development Corporation, formed by Biosphere 2 crewmembers while still enclosed with a team of engineer.Notes and references
Poynter, Jane (2006).The Human Experiment: Two Years and Twenty Minutes Inside Biosphere 2."Bio Bust", Tucson Weekly, February 16, 2006."Biosphere 2 bubble sold to developers", MSNBC, June 5, 2007."UA to take over Biosphere 2 research", The Arizona Republic, June 26, 2007.BIOSPHERE 2: The Experiment..BIOSPHERE 2: RESEARCH PAST AND PRESENT B.This page was last modified 14:43, 16 January 2008.Revised, updated, and still unrivaled.The biosphere is a global ecosystem composed of living organisms (biota) and the abiotic (nonliving) factors from which they derive energy and nutrients.Britannica premium article for free, even those readers without a premium membership.Note: If no ads are returned, you could show your own ads.More from Britannica on "biosphere"...The biosphere is a global ecosystem composed of living organisms (biota) and the abiotic (nonliving) factors from which they derive energy and nutrients.It is this thin layer at the surface of the Earth that is the biosphere, the place where life occurs.The essential process in the biosphere, the portion of the Earth in which life can occur, that has permitted the evolution of life as it now exists is the conversion by green plants of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into carbohydrates, using light energy from the Sun.The continued functioning of the biosphere is dependent not only on the maintainance of the intimate interactions among the myriad species within local communities but also on the looser yet crucial interactions of all species and communities around the globe.The Earth is blanketed with so many species and so many different kinds of biological communities because ...The top of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) can be visually marked by the elevation of the base of the clouds.In addition, the PBL can also be denoted by a thin layer of haze often seen by passengers aboard airplanes during takeoff from airports.During the day, the air within the PBL is thoroughly mixed by convection induced by the heating of Earth's surface.The Earth itself was considered Biosphere 1.Guatemala is to the southeast.The state capital is Villahermosa.BIOSPHERE 2: The
Experiment.Development, and Engineering needed to create Biosphere 2.Biosphere 2 were dug.Biosphere 2 crew announced the birth of a new baby galago in the rainforest.Chairman of Space Biospheres Ventures.Bass by the end of 2003.Novelty Waves (12")
Virgin France S.Patashnik (CD)
Virgin France S.Circuitry (CD, Maxi)
Circuitry (Biosphere R...Circuitry (CD, Maxi)
Circuitry (Biosphere R...Microscopic (CD, EP)
Attalal (Remixed By Bi...Microscopic (CD)
Attalal (Remixed By Bi...She's A Star (CD, Maxi, CD3)
She's A Star (Andrea's...Sanscapes 2 (CD)
Bushmen Of The Kalahar...Best Of Beatservice Records (2xCD)
It's Gonna Be Alright ...Beatservice Video Jukebox (DVD)
Digits 3 (Biosphere's ...Soul (CD, Single, Car)
Temporary Dive (Biosph...The Divine Compilation (2xCD)
The Seal And The Hydro...CD)
Botanical Dimensions
Incoming!Strictly Trance 1 (CD)
Novelty Waves (As Feat...New Dimensions In Dance Vol.CD)
Novelty Waves (Radio E...Forum Of Contemporary Art No.Norpol (CD)
Vi Kan Tenka Digitalt,...The DVD Collection (DVD)
Cloudwalker
Studio !Lbl)
I Wish To Be A Luck Hu...Sur Le Monde Invisible (CD, Ori)
Kobresia, Silene, Tras...Feb 28, 2007
Biosphere is extremely skilled, he truly crafts his songs.Add Release: Click this button to add a release to this artist's discography.My Discogs
Submissions
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more...Big Ball of Life
The biosphere is all about life.Physical geographers use the term biosphere to describe our living world.This is where all of the trees, bugs, and animals live.The biosphere extends to any place that life (of any kind) can exist on Earth.The biosphere is the one place where all of the other spheres of the planet work together.The land interacts with the water (hydrosphere).Many factors affect the biosphere and our life here on Earth.There are large factors such as the distance between the Earth and the Sun.Even the tilt of the Earth is important.Smaller factors are also act on the biosphere.If you were to look at a piece of land that was only one square mile, you would find influential factors such as climate, daily weather, and erosion.The smallest of factors in the biosphere work on a molecular level.Chemical erosion is a great example of a landscape changing one molecule at a time.Andrew Rader Studios, All rights reserved.Andrew Rader Studios does not monitor or review the content available at these web sites.They are paid advertisements and neither partners nor recommeded web sites. |
