E e p i s h b or

Biosphere

The biosphere is all about life.

The biosphere extends to the upper areas of the atmosphere where birds and insects can be found. It also reaches to dark caves deep in the ground or to the bottom of the ocean at hydrothermal vents. The biosphere extends to any place that life of any kind might exist.

• Physical geographers use the term biosphere to describe our living world. • All of the microbes, plants, and

animals can be found somewhere in the biosphere.

• Biology is the study of life.• Biologists are scientists who

study lifeforms in all their varieties, and who do their best to use their knowledge about these lifeforms to both protect life on Earth, as well as help mankind.

How Does Energy Move Through an Ecosystem?

• Life affects the landscape in many other ways. Plant roots help keep soil from being carried away by rain water. Small rodents and reptiles dig tunnels, beavers build dams, creating temporary lakes and ponds, and humans build a variety of projects large and small.

Food Webs and Food Chains

• Food webs show how plants and animals are connected in many ways to help them all survive. Food chains follow just one path of energy as animals find food.

Food Web

A scavenger is a carnivore that feeds on the bodies of dead organisms.

Food Chain