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Components
of the Earth
Environment & Resource Management
Components of the Earth
Atmosphere is the mixture of gases surrounding
the Earth and other planets.
Thermosphere
 Mesopause
 Mesosphere
 Stratopause
 Stratosphere
 Tropopause
 Troposphere
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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 100 km deep, is divided into
the crust and upper mantle.
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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.
Where all life exists!
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)
What is the “tragedy of the commons”?