Biosphere Contents

1. Organic Matter

The biosphere consists of all the plants and animals (organisms) which are present on Earth

The Earth's organisms - its plants, animals, bacteria and fungi - represent an abundance of life. They play an important role in the global cycling of the main biologically active elements such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus. They are also important in modifying the global cycle of other elements which are associated with plants and animals, such as potassium, iron, silicon and aluminium. The latter elements are required by organisms in smaller amounts.

Map of terrestrial and oceanic biomass production

What is the biosphere?