Earth’s Spheres

Biotic and Abiotic Parts of the Environment Biotic - all of the living things in the environment (frog, fern, bacteria). Abiotic - all of the non-living things in the environment (dead log, water, oxygen) Can you identify the biotic and abiotic factors in the picture?

Earth’s Spheres The Earth can be divided up into 4 spheres: Atmosphere Geosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere What do you think each one of these spheres includes?

Atmosphere The gaseous part of earth which is concentrated within about 10km of the surface but also extends hundreds of kilometres higher The atmosphere can also be divided further into various layers

2. Geosphere The solid mainly rocky part of earth Like the atmosphere, this can also be divided into various layers

3. Hydrosphere All of the water (liquid, as well as solid and gaseous) that exists on and within the geosphere

4. Biosphere All of the areas on and under the geosphere, in the atmosphere, and in the hydrosphere that are inhabited by and support life RECAP VIDS: Geosphere and Biosphere Atmosphere and Hydrosphere

How the spheres interact Earth’s four spheres interact with and affect each other in many different ways. Understanding that Earth’s spheres are interconnected is an important part of maintaining a sustainable Earth.

Spheres Ice storms are just one way the atmosphere interacts with Earth’s other spheres. In January 2015, an ice storm hit Hope B.C. bringing down trees and resulting in power outages and closed schools. Which of Earth’s spheres were affected by the ice storm?

Spheres Landslides occur when soil and rock from the geosphere are pulled downward by gravity. How might another sphere be affected by this landslide?

Spheres The hydrosphere includes solid and liquid water, as well as water vapour in the atmosphere. Bear Glacier ends in Strohn Lake near Stewart, B.C. How does the cloudy sky in this photo represent an interaction between two spheres?

Spheres Mountain goats and the grass they eat are part of the biosphere. How do you think these mountain goats interact with or are impacted by Earth’s other spheres?

Activity In groups of 4, you will find all of the interactions between the spheres for your scenario. In the boxes around the outside, you will write what is found in each of the spheres. In the box in the middle, draw your scenario and use it to explain the interactions to the class.

Scenarios Group 1: Cedar Tree Group 2: Monarch Butterfly Group 3: Kilauea Volcano Group 4: Osoyoos flooding Group 5: Black Bear Group 6: Orca