Components of the Earth

1. Components of the Earth

3. Components of the Earth • Atmosphere is the mixture of gases surrounding the Earth and other planets. • Thermosphere • Mesopause • Mesosphere • Stratopause • Stratosphere • Tropopause • Troposphere

4. Components of the Earth • Hydrosphere is the part of the Earth composed of water (including clouds, oceans, seas, ice caps, glaciers, lakes, rivers, underground water supplies, and atmospheric water vapour). • Approximately 71% of the Earth is covered by water. • 97% of this water is in the oceans (salt water) • 3% is freshwater • 77% of freshwater is locked in ice • 22% of freshwater is in the ground • <1% of freshwater is in lakes, rivers, and wetlands

5. Hydrosphere

6. Components of the Earth • Lithosphere is the solid outer crust of the earth, while the mantle and core comprise the interior of the earth. • The lithosphere runs up to 60 miles deep, is divided into the crust and upper mantle. • The upper part of the crust is made of igneous and sedimentary rocks; this makes up the continents. • The lower crust is made of igneous rocks which form the ocean floors. • The inner layers of the earth are the mantle and the core

7. Components of the Earth • Lithosphere is the outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

8. Components of the Earth • Biosphere is the life zone of the Earth and includes all living organisms, including man, and all organic matter that has not yet decomposed. • The biosphere is structured into a hierarchy known as the food chain whereby all life is dependent upon the first tier (i.e. mainly the primary producers that are capable of photosynthesis). • Energy and mass is transferred from one level of the food chain to the next with an efficiency of about 10%.

9. Components of the Earth • All organisms are intrinsically linked to their physical environment and the relationship between an organism and its environment is the study of ecology. • The biosphere can be divided into distinct ecosystems that represent the interactions between a group of organisms forming a trophic pyramid and the environment or habitat in which they live.

10. Components of the Earth • Biosphere is the combination of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere that can support life.

11. Components of the Earth

12. Key Terms • Ecology - the study of how organisms interact with each other and their physical environment • Biodiversity - the variety of life on our planet, (measurable as the variety within species, between species, and the variety of ecosystems) • Carrying Capacity - the maximum number of individuals of a given species that a site can support during the most unfavorable time of year, without causing deterioration of the site

13. Key Terms • Ecological Footprint - a calculation that estimates the area of Earth required to supply the resources that an individual demands, as well as to absorb the wastes that the individual produces • Sustainable Development - Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs • Global Commons - natural assets outside national jurisdiction (e.g., oceans, outer space, Antarctica)

14. The Essence of Ecology Laws

15. The essence of ecology laws

16. Earth – Also a Closed System Resources are seen as finite. Cause and Effect

17. Biosphere 2

18. Biosphere II Project – How well can we mimic nature’s ecosystems?? Biosphere II (http://www.bio2.edu/) Purpose: Replicate and Study Earth Systems Approach: Completely self-contained

19. Re-opened to Public • Biosphere 2 Center was opened to the public in 1990 as a research and learning center to explore how our environment affects our lives and how we affect our environment. • The goal of Biosphere 2 has been to find ways to become responsible stewards of our planet, ensuring a good quality of life for us and for future generations.

20. System in Words • On January 1, 1996, Columbia University - one of the world's leading research and education institutions - joined Biosphere 2 Center to expand and guide its programs • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7B39MLVeIc&feature=related

21. Facts and Numbers • Biosphere 2 was created to better understand Biosphere I -- planet Earth • Biosphere 2 covers 3.15 acres • It is 91 feet at its highest point • It is sealed off from Earth below by a 500-ton welded stainless steel liner • A host of instruments constantly monitors the air, soil and water • The 25-foot ocean contains a million gallons of salt water • Biosphere 2 contains five biomes - a rainforest, desert, savanna, marsh and ocean. (A biome is a self-sustaining community of living organisms.) • The apparatus houses more than 3,000 species of living organisms • The Habitat is open for public tours and features many exhibits such as the Climate Change and Life on Earth exhibition.

22. Biosphere II Project - Needs What do you need? Food Water Lighting Heat Energy to run systems Waste Treatment Proximal Source Constructed Ecosystems Water Food Energy Natural resources Waste Removal Distal Sources? No – wish to be self-contained!!

23. Biosphere II Project – Success? No! Why not??? Concrete + O2 => CO2 Decreasing O2 Increasing CO2 >>>>>> poor air quality And……Could not grow enough food Cost $2 billion/2 yrs 7 Biospherians $143,000,000 /person /year !! Another Closed System

24. We Live in a Closed System!! • Apollo 13 - No other planet to rescue us if something goes wrong • Biosphere II • expensive to build natural system to keep us going (and we still don’t know how!) • We cannot even build the basics – cannot replace nature Consequences of Living in a Closed System • Lots of Services provided by nature that we cannot easily, or in any way, replace • What are sources of: • Air? • Water? • Soil?

25. Ecosystem Services: What are ecosystems worth to us? Economic AND Non-Market Values Discussion