The Biosphere and Life

Key Concepts of the Biosphere

• Biosphere refers to the global sum of all ecosystems, encompassing all living organisms and their interactions with each other and the environment.
• Solar Energy Capture in the biosphere is primarily done by photosynthetic organisms such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, which convert sunlight into chemical energy.
• The biosphere is considered a closed system in terms of matter, meaning that it recycles nutrients and matter within its ecosystems rather than allowing significant amounts to enter or leave.
• The term global ecological system describes the biosphere, highlighting its role in integrating all living beings and their relationships, including interactions between organisms and their physical surroundings.
• The evolution of the biosphere began approximately 3.5 billion years ago, with the emergence of primitive life forms and subsequent ecological developments through geological time.