biosphere and biomes

• The biosphere is the living layer of the earth. All plants and animals are found here.
• The biosphere is divided into large regions called biomes. A biome is a large scale ecosystem. Each has its own climate, plant species and animal species
• Importance of biosphere

  Services-Mangrove forests provide defences against coastal flooding, regulation of carbon dioxide and oxygen, water storage in glaciers prevents floods
• Importance of biosphere

  Indigenous goods-rainforests are used sustainably by hunter gatherers who live in small, circular houses
• Importance of biosphere


  Goods exploitation-when biomass is burnt, it releases carbon stores into the atmosphere, deforestation also takes away large nutrient stores which impacts the soil. Biomes are cleared for mining metal ores (copper/iron) and for timber. Decline in wetlands and animals because of increased demand in resources
• Increase in water consumption


  Lake depletion from water usage
• High demand for vehicles

  Pollution damages biomes
• higher meat intake


  More animals from biomes removed
• What determines the distribution and characteristics of biomes?

  • Sunshine
  • Tilt of the earth and length of the day
  • temperature
  • Human activity
  • Precipitation
  • Geology and soils
  • Wind and hurricanes