Although humans are primarily land dwellers, the Earth’s surface is largely water. The world’s oceans make up 99% of the planet’s biosphere and contain the greatest diversity of life. Even the most biologically rich tropical rain forests cannot match the biodiversity (measured by the number of species) found in a coral reef community. Rain forests, …
Spheres of Earth
The Earth, or our Ecosphere, is made up of different layers, both living and non-living. Before, we saw that the Earth's interior is made up of four layers: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. The exterior, where we can directly observe, has four "spheres" as well. They are the biosphere, which is made …
Journey to the Center of the Earth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=3FoSAHk7DMA&feature=emb_logo This is the first part of our understanding of our Mother Earth -- its interior. We learn that the Earth has four main layers: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. As you watch, write observational notes about what you may find inside. Pay careful attention to the numbers and the data. Struggling …
Our Place in the Universe, and the Fragility of Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44cv416bKP4 For Environmental Science, we use this video to get an idea of the special the Earth is at the scale of the entire Universe. There are billions of galaxies, and within each galaxy billions of stars, and around hundreds of planets, but it is only around our Sun that we find Earth, our home, …
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The Gaia Hypothesis
In 1974, James Lovelock explained that the Earth existed as a single living organism inhis Gaia hypothesis. He described how organic and inorganic components interactthrough complex reactions to balance an environment where life can exist. Lovelock’sGaia theory considers the evolution of a tightly integrated system made up of all livingthings and the physical environment: the …
Areas of Study in Environmental Science
AgrologyAnalysis and management of usable land for growth of food cropsBioengineeringDesigning or reconstructing sustainable ecosystemsBotanyCharacterization, growth, and distribution of plantsConservation biologyPreserve, manage, or restore endangered areas or speciesEcologyStudy of relationships between living organisms and their environmentEnvironmental geologyConservation of resources and future planningExploration geophysicsCrustal composition to find resources (e.g. oil, gold)ForestryCharacterization, growth, distribution, and planting of …
Current ‘Mythology’ on How Earth Was Formed
It is likely that when the Earth was first forming in our young solar neighbor- hood, it was a molten mass of rock and metals simmering at about 3,600° Fahrenheit (2,000° Celsius). The main cloud elements included hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, iron, nickel, phosphorus, sulfur, and others. As the sphere (Earth) cooled, the …
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Understanding Mother Earth
Native peoples were completely dependent on nature for everything in their lives. They worshipped Earth as a nurturing mother. The soil sprouted plants and trees that provided food, clothing, and shelter. The rivers and seas gave up fish and shellfish for food, trade articles, and tools. From the atmosphere came rain, snow, and wind to …
Mr. Aly's Science Classroom 