The Biosphere - Chapters

Chapter 11: Introduction to the Biosphere

• Life on Our Planet
• History of Life on Earth
• Classification of Life
• Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems
• Life and Evolution
• Adaptive Strategies for Survival
• Life’s Diversity

Chapter 12: Spatial Distribution of Species

• Geographic Range and the Ecological Niche
• Factors Influencing Species Distribution
• Disturbance
• Plant Succession
• Earth's Ecosystems and Major Biomes

Chapter 13: Biogeochemical Cycling

• Nutrient Cycling
• The Carbon Cycle 
• The Nitrogen Cycle
• Productivity of Plants
• Food Chains, Trophic Pyramids, and Food Webs

Chapter 14: Soils and Soil Classification

• Introduction to Soils
• The Soil Profile
• Pedogenesis: Soil Formation
• Soil Classification Systems

Chapter 15: Human Alteration of the Biosphere

• Species Extinction Crisis    
• Land-Cover Change and Ecosystem Loss
• Benefits of Species and Ecosystems
• Reducing the Loss of Species and Ecosystem
• Managing Species and Ecosystems