What is Whole What is Whole Earth System Earth System

Science?Science?

Whole Earth Whole Earth System Science System Science

Is…Is…

• The concept that the earth is The concept that the earth is comprised of interacting comprised of interacting components or subsystems.components or subsystems.

The Main SystemsThe Main Systems

• Biosphere = the realm of all living things on earth, including humans.

• Geosphere = the realm of all non-living aspects of the earth. The geosphere is divided into 3 subsystems;– The lithosphere– The atmosphere– The hydrosphere

The 4 SpheresThe 4 Spheres

Biosphere

Lithosphere

Hydrosphere

Atmosphere

The BiosphereThe Biosphere“Life” sphere“Life” sphere

• The biospherebiosphere consists of the totality of lifelife forms on earth.– This includes all plants, animals, and

humans.

The LithosphereThe Lithosphere“Land” sphere“Land” sphere

• The lithospherelithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the earth that includes the crustcrust and uppermost part of the mantle.

The AtmosphereThe Atmosphere“Air” sphere“Air” sphere

• The atmosphereatmosphere is the gaseous portion of the planet, the planets envelope of airair.

The HydrosphereThe Hydrosphere“Water” sphere“Water” sphere

• The hydrospherehydrosphere is the waterwater portion of the planet.– This includes all oceans, lakes, rivers,

streams, ponds, snow, ice.

The CryosphereThe Cryosphere“Frozen” sphere“Frozen” sphere

• The cryospherecryosphere is the collective term for all the ice and snowice and snow on the earth.