Living and Non living components of Biosphere and structure

Biosphere

          Any living plant or animal is called an organism. The living organisms exist in variety of habitats. The habitats may be land, water and air. The world of living organisms together with land, water and air on the surface of the earth is called biosphere.

Living components of Biosphere

                The living component of the biosphere consists of three organisms. They are producers, consumers and decomposers. They are also known as biotic components. The producers are plants; the consumers are animals whereas the decomposers are bacteria and fungi. Thus the living component of the biosphere consists of plants and animals.

Non-living components of biosphere

              The non-living component of the biosphere consists of physical environment. It includes soil, water and air. They are also known as abiotic components. Sun light, temperature, pressure and humidity are examples for abiotic components. They constitute the climatic conditions. The climate of an area determines the type of organisms.

           The biotic components interact with the abiotic components  in different ways for their survival. The effect of fire on forest and the effect of strong wind on the branch growth of the plants.

Structure of biosphere

           The biosphere consists of three parts namely lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. The lithosphere, the hydrosphere and the atmosphere are enveloping the earth.

Lithosphere

               In Greek 'lithosphere' means stony sphere. The earth has soil and rocks on its surface. The solid outer portion of the earth containing soil and rocks is called lithosphere.

Hydrosphere

                 The water region on the surface of earth is called hydrosphere. There is a lot of water on the surface of earth in the form of ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans and underground water. The marine habitat occupies the major portion. To improve the underground water source, rainwater harvesting is essential. In fact the life originated first in water and later spread to land and air. Organisms can exist in water upto about four kilometres below the sea level.

Atmosphere

              The earth's air envelope is called atmosphere. It is a mixture of gases. The air is a gaseous component of the earth. The organisms can exist upto seven to eight kilometres in air above the sea level

              The lithosphere, the hydrosphere and the atmosphere consist of solid, liquid and gaseous matter respectively. These three zones along with plants and animals constitute the biosphere. In the biosphere there is a constant interaction between living and non-living components.