CHAPTER 3
Change in the biosphere
3.1 THE CHANGING
E N V I RO N M E N T
 The earth has lived for 4.45 billion year and during that time there
have been many changes with human activity.
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 The lithosphere is one of the most changed things on earth.
Tectonic plates move the continents about 2 cm per year.
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 Other ways that the lithosphere changes is weathering and erosion
over many years. For example, the Grand Canyon is the effect of
erosion by the Colorado River
3.1 THE HYDROSPHERE
 The hydrosphere is another part of the earth that is constantly
changing. Oceans and seas all around the world never stay the same.
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 The ice age is one of the times when the hydrosphere has changed
dramatically. The earth was covered with many glaciers that helped
form the present day earth.
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 Another change in the hydrosphere is the El Nino. This is a stretch
of warm water that runs along the coast along the South American
coast and it is in effect for only a few weeks.
3.1 THE ATMOSPHERE
 The atmosphere also has a series of changes that happen all year
round.
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 The atmosphere can change by the rotation of the axis and also
simpler things like volcanic eruptions.
3.2 NEEDS OF ORGANISMS
 Organisms have many needs to live and survive in the
environment.
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 Water is one of the most important factors in life. Water is needed
for plants and animals to stay hydrated.
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 Another need for life is food and energy. When animals eat food
they obtain certain nutrients that are needed to live.
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 All animals need living space. Their living space is called territory
and it gives animals shelter and other safe reasons.
3.3 THE ECOSYSTEM
 Species- a group of organisms so similar to one so that they can breed.
 Habits- specific environment in which a species live in.
 Geographical range- total area in which a species can live
 Population- all members of a species that live in the same geographic area
 Community- all the different populations that live and interact in the same area
 Ecosystem- includes all communities in an area
 Biodiversity- variety of species in an ecosystem