Biosphere

Many people rely on the biosphere for basic necessities including food, medicine, construction materials, and fuel. Except for salt, all food comes from the biosphere, but established societies prefer to farm rather than forage. The biosphere is a relatively thin layer of the Earth's surface that supports life, reaching from a few kilometers into the atmosphere to deep-sea vents. The biosphere is a global ecosystem made up of living organisms (biota) and the nonliving (abiotic) factors that provide them with energy and nutrients. The biosphere is a narrow zone on the surface of the earth where soil, water, and air combine to sustain life. Life can only occur in this zone. From fungi and bacteria to large animals, there are several different types of life. The biosphere is characterized as an area that contains all living organisms and the products of their activities. As a result, it plays a critical role in the maintenance of ecosystems, i.e., the existence of species and their reciprocal interactions.