Biosphere is defined as the layers of Earth above, on or interior of Earth surface where the living beings in nature exist. The term biosphere is also regarded as the ecosphere and is derived from the Greek word ‘bios’ which means ‘life’ and is termed as the life zone on the layers of Earth. The biosphere is an open system in which processes like photosynthesis occur by utilising the sunlight and is a self-regulating biophysiological system. The word biosphere was first given in 1875 by  Eduard Suess, a geologist. The biosphere establishes the relationship between the ecological living system and the elements of the geosphere including lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere and rhizosphere. It includes two processes: biopoiesis and biogenesis. It overlaps the different spheres including lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere and rhizosphere and measures about 12 miles (20 kilometres) from top to bottom and all living beings exist in the range of 1,640 feet i.e. 500 metres above sea level.

Examples of Biosphere

Some of the examples of the biosphere are as follows;

  • Oceans (aquatic)
  • Deserts
  • Tundras
  • Tropical Rainforest
  • Grasslands
  • Prairies
  • Deciduous forests

Importance of Biosphere

The importance of Biosphere are as follows;

  • It helps in organic matter production like nitrogen and oxygen through many processes like carbon cycle, photosynthesis and many more.
  • The toxic substances of the Earth have been removed and cleaned i.e. it controls the detoxification process of the living organisms on the Earth’s surface.
  • It provides medical or pharmaceutical components or compounds.
  • To promote and support the life of living organisms on Earth.
  • It also regulates the climatic changes.
  • It provides food, fibre, fuel as well as raw materials for various products.
  • It plays a vital role in the carbon cycle as a reservoir.
  • It also controls the pollution on the layers of Earth and also helps to detect the pollutants.

Some Definitions Related to the Biosphere

  1. What is the Earth?

Earth is the 3rd planet in the solar system on which the biosphere and the geosphere exist.

  1. Lithosphere: It is the outer brittle crust surface and is the rocky part of the Earth’s surface.
  1. Hydrosphere: It refers to the total volume of water available on the Earth’s surface.
  1. Biopoiesis: It is the process in which the living organisms are developed from nonliving matter or life.
  1. Biogenesis: It is the process in which the living organisms are developed from the pre-existing life.
  1. Atmosphere: It is referred to as the gases layer which surrounds celestial bodies including planets.
  1. Cryosphere: It refers to that layer of Earth where the water is frozen i.e. in the solid form and it includes lake ice, snow cover, water ice, ice caps, sea ice, glaciers and many more.
  1. Rhizosphere: It refers to the substrate or soil part of the Earth which includes secretion of root and microbes.

Earth’s Biosphere

The biogenic graphite which was found in Western Greenland’s metasedimentary rock (3.7 billion years old) and microbial mat fossils which was found in Western Australia’s sandstone (3.48 billion years old) were the prior evidence of life on the planet Earth. In 2015, biologically derived life remains was found in Western Australia’s rock (4.1 billion years old) and in 2017, microfossils were discovered in precipitates of hydrothermal vent in Quebec’s (Canada) Nuvvuagittuq Belt (4.28 billion years old).

Conclusion

The biosphere or ecosphere is the part or layer of the Earth surface on which all the ecological or living beings exist. It includes mountain tops, rain forests, trenches and many more. The ecologists and the biologists referred to it as the biota or biomass. Artificial Biospheres include Arizona’s Biosphere 2, BIOS-1, Biosphere J, MELiSSA (Micro-Ecological Life Supporting System Alternative) and many more.