biosphere
UK: ˈbaɪ.əʊ.sfɪə | US: ˈbaɪ.oʊ.sfɪr
n. The global ecological system integrating living organisms (biota) and their interactions with Earth's physical environment (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere).
n. The zone of life on Earth, encompassing all ecosystems.
Coined in 1875 by Austrian geologist Eduard Suess, "biosphere" merges Greek "bios" (life) and "sphaira" (sphere) to conceptualize Earth as a unified living system. The term reflects 19th-century scientific efforts to map planetary systems, later popularized by Vladimir Vernadsky’s 1926 theory of biogeochemical cycles. The morphemes preserve their original Greek meanings while adapting to modern ecological terminology.
The Amazon rainforest is a vital component of the biosphere.
Human activities increasingly strain the biosphere’s carrying capacity.
Scientists study extremophiles to understand life’s limits within the biosphere.
The biosphere extends from deep ocean vents to the upper atmosphere.
Protecting the biosphere requires global cooperation.