What is Whole Earth System Science?

1
What is Whole Earth System Science?
2
Whole Earth System Science Is

• The concept that the earth is comprised of
  interacting components or subsystems.

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The Main Systems

• Biosphere the realm of all living things on
  earth, including humans.
• Geosphere the realm of all non-living aspects
  of the earth. The geosphere is divided into 3
  subsystems
• The lithosphere
• The atmosphere
• The hydrosphere

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The 4 Spheres
Lithosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
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The BiosphereLife sphere

• The biosphere consists of the totality of life
  forms on earth.
• This includes all plants, animals, and humans.

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The LithosphereLand sphere

• The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the
  earth that includes the crust and uppermost part
  of the mantle.

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The AtmosphereAir sphere

• The atmosphere is the gaseous portion of the
  planet, the planets envelope of air.

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The HydrosphereWater sphere

• The hydrosphere is the water portion of the
  planet.
• This includes all oceans, lakes, rivers, streams,
  ponds, snow, ice.

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The CryosphereFrozen sphere

• The cryosphere is the collective term for all the
  ice and snow on the earth.