The biosphere (BT)

 BIOSPHERE

 We are going to investigate about this topic... here is what we are going to learn in this unit.

1.- The Earth is formed by different layers or spheres:

The atmosphere is the layer formed by gases. The most important gases are; Oxygen, Hydrogen, Carbon dioxide, ... among others.

The biosphere or ecosphere is the layer of the Earth formed by life: plants and animals.

The hydrosphere is the layer of the Earth formed by all the water on the Earth; saltwater and freshwater.

The Lithosphere is the layer of the Earth formed by solid elements. It is formed by the core, the mantle, and the crust.

2.- What are habitats or biomes?

Habitat is the natural home or environment of a plant, an animal, or other organisms.

It provides them with food, water and a place to live.

3.- Food chain and food web: consumers, decomposers, prey, producers,..

Food chains show how each living things gets food, and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature.

LEVELS OF A FOOD CHAIN - 

Producers make their own food through photosynthesis (plants and algae)

Consumers obtain the food by eating other living things

Primary consumers: eat producers (herbivores or omnivores)

Secondary consumers: they eat primary consumers (carnivores or omnivores)

Tertiary consumers: they eat secondary consumers (carnivores or omnivores)

Decomposers: live on the remains of other  living things

In the food chain, energy and nutrients move from plants to the herbivores and to the carnivores or omnivores that prey upon the herbivores.

What is a food web? 

A food web is similar to a food chain but larger and it is a diagram that combines many food chains into one picture.

-Food webs show how plants and animals are connected in many ways to help them all survive, unlike food
chains that just follow one path.

Watch these videos about food chains and food webs:

VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2

4.- What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of plants and animals living on Earth, Biodiversity is the variety of animals and plants found on this planet including the habitats where they are found in. .Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.

5.-Biodiversity loss: causes and effects
The main cause of the loss of biodiversity can be attributed to the influence of human beings on the world's ecosystem and the loss of the reproduction of species in a particular habitat.

The effects of biodiversity loss are that the number of animals and plants decreases or usually some species extinct.

Causes of biodiversity loss
-Pollution happens when the environment is contaminated, by waste, and other substances.


There are three main forms of pollution: air, water, and land.

-Air contamination can result from natural causes (industrial activities, burning fossil fuels, and household activities) as well as human activities (forest fires, volcanic eruptions, pollen dispersal..)

-Water contamination. Humans are the main cause of water contamination, by dumping industrial waste, raising the temperature of water and reducing the oxygen in the water.

-Global warming is the rising of the temperature on Earth.
This global warming causes

• Glaciers melting 
• Ocean levels will rise 
• Migration of animals - Animals will migrate to cooler spots as their old habitats get too warm. This could upset the food chain and put some species in danger of extinction.
• Change in ecosystems - cold weather biomes such as the tundra will shrink, while desserts will continue to expand.

-Climate change. The average temperature of the Earth has changed throughout history. Some of this is due to natural changes in temperature that occur over time due to a large number of variables. 

-Alteration of habitats is a change in the use of lands and we see the impact on local ecosystems. Plants and animals live in specific places that have the conditions of climate and food resources needed for survival. If we change one condition the others will also change.

6.- Flora and Fauna Extinction. Causes.

Animal endangered means that they are at risk of becoming extinct. 
Today many animals are endangered or have become extinct due to the influence of humans. 
Some of the ways that animals becomeendangered are:

- Natural Forces  Species may become extinct because of changes in climate, competition with other species, a reduced food supply,....

-Human Interaction human interaction cause species to become extinct. This is because human interaction has increased the rate of extinctions beyond what normally should occur in nature. More extinctions reduces the planet's biodiversity and can have adverse effects for all life on Earth. 

-Hunting many species have been hunted to extinction. Animals are hunted to get their furs, skins, feathers, or horns. 

-Loss of Habitat one of the main threats to animals today is a loss of habitat. This comes from the expansion of humans, especially from agriculture. As vast areas of land are cultivated to grow food, natural habitats are destroyed. This can destroy many of the cycles of life necessary for organisms to survive.

-Pollution of air and water can kill off a species as well. TWhen one species is affected, other species can die off as well causing a chain reaction as the balance of the ecosystem is destroyed. 

-Introduced Species when a new species of plant or animal is brought into an ecosystem it can become invasive, quickly taking over and killing off other species. It may also destroy an important part of the food chain causing many other species to suffer. 

7.- How to protect the biodiversity

What can we do?







Recycling is a very important aspect to consider. But! Reusing things and reducing waste is even more important and efficient than recycling.
Be aware of how we use water. Use water wisely.
Take care of the different habitats. Around us, we can keep landscapes clean.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, YOURSELF, TO KEEP YOUR PLANET SAFE??

START TODAY