Lithos and Bio

 

Lithosphere

The lithosphere contains the elements of the Earth crust and part of the upper mantle. This is the hard and rigid outer layer of the Earth. The term is taken from the Greek word lithos meaning “rocky”. This part of the Earth includes soil.

The Earth's lithosphere is made up of the crust and part of the upper mantle. Image: Srimadhav adapted from USGS, public domain.
The Earth’s lithosphere is made up of the crust and part of the upper mantle. Image: Srimadhav adapted from USGS, public domain.

Biosphere

The biosphere covers all living organisms on Earth.

There is an estimated 20 million to 100 millions different species in the world organized into the 100 phyla that make up the five kingdoms of life forms.

These organisms can be found in almost all parts of the geosphere. There are organisms in the air, soil, and water on Earth.

Sandhill cranes flock together on a grassy area in Medaryville, Indiana. Photo: John J. Mosesso, USGS. Public domain.

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