All of the combined regions of the planet which support self-sustaining ecosystems The biosphere extends above and below the surface of the Earth, wherever there are living ecosystems
Part of the earth and its atmosphere in which organisms live The biosphere is a very thin layer and includes the land surface and subsurface, the world ocean, and a thin part of the troposphere
the parts of the earth, its oceans and its atmosphere capable of supporting living organisms
The transition zone between the earth and the atmosphere within which most terrestrial life forms are found It is considered the outer portion of the geosphere and the inner or lower portion of the atmosphere
Zone of the Earth where life is found The biosphere consists of all living things, plant and animal This zone is characterized by life in profusion, diversity, and ingenious complexity Cycling of matter in this sphere involves not only metabolic reactions in organisms, but also many abiotic chemical reactions Also called ecosphere
the total of all areas on Earth -- even the deep ocean and part of the atmosphere -- where organisms are found
The biosphere is the world's ecological system It is the living part of the earth that is ordered by the dynamic flow of energy into complex systems The energy source for this is the sun, via the photosynthetic processes [3: The Biosphere: Life on Earth ]
All of Earth's living organisms inhabiting and interacting with the physical environment (where the atmosphere, lithosphere, pedosphere and hydrosphere function together and support life)
The parts of Earth where life is found, including the land, bodies of water, and the lower part of the atmosphere