ICSE Class 11 Geography | 6. Biosphere – Life on the Earth by Pavan | Learn Smarter
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6. Biosphere – Life on the Earth

The biosphere is a crucial layer of the Earth that encompasses all environments capable of supporting life, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It contains diverse ecosystems and biomes that interact dynamically, sustaining biodiversity and ecological balance. Human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change, pose significant threats to the biosphere, necessitating concerted conservation and sustainable development efforts.

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Sections

  • 6

    Biosphere – Life On The Earth

    The biosphere encompasses all regions of Earth where life exists, including land, water, and atmosphere, and is critical for maintaining ecological balance.

    Learning Practice

  • 6.1

    Introduction To The Biosphere

    The biosphere is the Earth's layer that supports all forms of life, integrating land, water, and atmosphere.

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  • 6.1.1

    What Is The Biosphere?

    The biosphere is the Earth's life-supporting layer, encompassing land, water, and air where living organisms exist.

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  • 6.1.2

    Components Of The Biosphere

    The biosphere consists of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, creating a habitat for all living organisms.

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  • 6.1.2.1

    Lithosphere

    The lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth, a crucial habitat for many living organisms.

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  • 6.1.2.2

    Hydrosphere

    The hydrosphere encompasses all water bodies on Earth, essential for sustaining life and facilitating the water cycle.

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  • 6.1.2.3

    Atmosphere

    The atmosphere is the thin layer of gases surrounding the Earth that is essential for life.

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  • 6.2

    Characteristics Of The Biosphere

    The biosphere is characterized by the interdependence and diversity of life forms, as well as the existence of ecosystems and biomes.

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  • 6.2.1

    Interdependence Of Life Forms

    This section covers the intricate interconnections between various life forms within the biosphere, focusing on their mutual dependencies for survival.

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  • 6.2.2

    Diversity Of Life

    The section discusses biodiversity, highlighting the variety of life forms in the biosphere and their interdependent roles in ecosystems.

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  • 6.2.3

    Ecosystems And Biomes

    This section examines ecosystems and biomes, highlighting the interdependence among organisms and their environments, and delineates the characteristics that define various biomes.

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  • 6.3

    Layers Of The Biosphere

    The biosphere comprises three layers—atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere—each playing a crucial role in supporting life on Earth.

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  • 6.3.1

    Atmosphere

    The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding Earth, essential for life and climate regulation.

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  • 6.3.2

    Hydrosphere

    The hydrosphere encapsulates all water bodies on Earth, essential for supporting life and regulating ecological processes.

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  • 6.3.3

    Lithosphere

    The lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth, providing habitat for living organisms and crucial for ecosystems.

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  • 6.4

    The Concept Of Ecosystems

    This section defines ecosystems and explains their components, types, and the flow of energy within them.

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  • 6.4.1

    What Is An Ecosystem?

    An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with one another and their physical environment in a specific area.

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  • 6.4.2

    Types Of Ecosystems

    This section introduces the two main types of ecosystems: terrestrial and aquatic, highlighting their key characteristics and examples.

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  • 6.4.2.1

    Terrestrial Ecosystems

    This section explores terrestrial ecosystems, focusing on their characteristics, importance, and the various biomes under this category.

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  • 6.4.2.2

    Aquatic Ecosystems

    Aquatic ecosystems include both freshwater and marine environments, characterized by diverse life forms and complex interactions within their ecosystems.

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  • 6.5

    Biomes Of The Earth

    This section covers the various biomes of Earth, highlighting their characteristics, examples of flora and fauna, and their significance to the planet.

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  • 6.5.1

    Tropical Rainforests

    Tropical rainforests are warm and biodiverse ecosystems located near the equator, crucial for global climate regulation.

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  • 6.5.2

    Deserts

    Deserts are arid regions characterized by minimal rainfall and extreme temperature fluctuations.

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  • 6.5.3

    Grasslands

    Grasslands are regions characterized by low rainfall and dominated by grasses, which support a variety of animal life.

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  • 6.5.4

    Tundra

    The tundra biome, characterized by its cold climate, low precipitation, and permafrost, supports simple yet vital ecosystems crucial for global carbon regulation.

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  • 6.5.5

    Temperate Forests

    Temperate forests are characterized by four distinct seasons and a diverse range of flora and fauna.

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  • 6.6

    Biodiversity And Conservation

    Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life forms on Earth and is crucial for ecosystem stability, while conservation strategies are essential to protect these life forms and their habitats.

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  • 6.6.1

    What Is Biodiversity?

    Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life forms on Earth, including species of plants, animals, fungi, and the ecosystems they inhabit.

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  • 6.7

    Human Impact On The Biosphere

    This section outlines how human activities negatively impact the biosphere, focusing on deforestation, pollution, climate change, and resource overexploitation.

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  • 6.7.1

    Deforestation

    Deforestation significantly impacts ecosystems by destroying forests, which leads to habitat loss and disruption of natural processes.

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  • 6.7.2

    Pollution

    Pollution from human activities adversely affects ecosystems and biodiversity.

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  • 6.7.3

    Climate Change

    Climate change refers to significant alterations in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions, primarily driven by human activities.

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  • 6.7.4

    Overexploitation Of Resources

    Overexploitation of resources refers to the unsustainable use of natural resources leading to their depletion and threatened species.

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  • 6.8

    Sustainable Development And The Biosphere

    This section discusses the concept of sustainable development and its essential role in protecting the biosphere.

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  • 6.8.1

    Sustainable Practices

    Sustainable practices aim to use resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.

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  • 6.8.2

    Role Of The Biosphere In Sustainable Development

    The biosphere is essential for sustainable development by providing vital resources and maintaining ecological balance.

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References

g11-6.pdf

Class Notes

Memorization

What we have learnt

  • The biosphere includes the ...
  • Biodiversity is vital for e...
  • Human activities significan...

Final Test

Revision Tests