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<onlyinclude>The '''biosphere''' is the sum of all regions on the Earth that support life. The biosphere is subdivided into five subcategories known as '''[[biome]]s''' which include forests, aquatic zones, deserts, tundras, and grasslands.</onlyinclude>

Essentially anywhere that life exists on Earth is a part of the biosphere.<ref name=nat>National Geographic. (Accessed October 18, 2015). ''Biosphere'' [Online], Available: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/biosphere/</ref> Although the biosphere encompasses a region of 20 [[kilometer]]s from top to bottom, the vast majority of life can be found within 500 meters below sea level to 6 kilometers above it.<ref name=nat/>

<gallery caption="Earth's Biosphere: The 5 Biomes" mode=packed heights=110px>
File:coralreef.jpg|[[Biome#Aquatic|Aquatic]].<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Barrier_Reef#/media/File:Coral_Outcrop_Flynn_Reef.jpg</ref>
File:monument-valley-towers.jpg|[[Biome#Desert|Desert]].<ref>Public Domain Images [Online], Available: http://www.public-domain-image.com/nature-landscape/desert/slides/monument-valley-towers.html</ref>
File:tundra.jpg|[[Biome#Tundra|Tundra]].<ref>Public Domain Images [Online], Available: http://www.public-domain-image.com/free-images/fauna-animals/birds/swans-pictures/tundra-swan/tundra-swans-in-a-lake-with-mt-shasta-in-the-background</ref>
File:forestbiome.jpg|[[Biome#Forest|Forest]].<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeastern_coastal_forests#/media/File:Posts_Brook_from_Norvin_Green_State_Forest_Lower_Trail.jpg</ref>
File:grasslands.jpg|[[Biome#Grassland|Grassland]].<ref>Geograph (Accessed Sept. 1, 2015) [Online], Available: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1360416</ref>
</gallery>

==Origin==
''[[atmospheric oxygen|main article]]''

The Earth's biosphere has been around for about 3.5 billion years. Early life forms existed without without the free [[oxygen]] that life relies on today, and developed the incredible process of [[photosynthesis]]. These life forms created most of the plentiful [[atmospheric oxygen]] that is seen today through this process, which allows for more complex forms of life to thrive. Today there is a tremendous amount of [[biodiversity]] within the world's [[ecosystem]]s, and the biosphere as whole can be thought of as one large ecosystem.<ref name=nat/> To learn more about the history of atmospheric oxygen please see [[atmospheric oxygen|here]].

==Human impacts on the biosphere==

The biosphere and its components have been relatively stable for thousands of years, however humans have recently affected its flows. Acts like [[deforestation]] and burning of [[fossil fuel]]s have negative [[environmental impact]]s which directly affect the biosphere. [[Carbon dioxide]] and [[emissions]] of various [[pollutant]]s adversely effect all kinds of life forms.

One specific concern is the [[greenhouse gas]] emissions that are attributed to [[global warming]]. The change this has on the global [[climate]] is of direct concern to the biosphere. [[Flood]]s and [[drought]]s are expected to intensify, which can lead to many other consequences such as [[famine]].<ref name=cc>National Drought Mitigation Center. (accessed October 18, 2015). ''Climate Change'' [Online], Available: http://drought.unl.edu/DroughtBasics/ClimateChange.aspx</ref> Melting of polar ice is another result of warming, which could displace many forms of life, as well as cause extreme events all around the globe.

===Biosphere reserves===
Many groups are putting in efforts to lessen the strain that humans put on the biosphere. There are 563 biosphere reserves worldwide which exist to establish a working, balanced relationship between people and the natural world.<ref name=nat/>

[http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/bios1-2.htm Click here] for an interactive map of all biosphere reserves around the globe.

==References==
{{reflist}}

Biosphere - Revision history

J.williams: 1 revision imported

Jmdonev at 00:46, 23 October 2015