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Components of the Earth Environment & Resource Management www.CraigMarlatt.com/school Components of the Earth • Atmosphere is the mixture of gases surrounding the Earth and other planets. – – – – – – – Thermosphere Mesopause Mesosphere Stratopause Stratosphere Tropopause Troposphere 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 Hydrosphere 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 Components of the Earth • Lithosphere is the outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. 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%. 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. Components of the Earth • Biosphere is the combination of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere that can support life. Components of the Earth 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 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)