What is the biosphere and by what means does it exist?

The concept of "biosphere" has been introduced for a long time. Initially, it was used to name hypothetically immortal organic molecules, which were the basis of the living. Another concept about the living shell of the Earth is given by the Austrian geologist E. Suess in 1875. He in his work "The Origin of the Alps" answers the question about what the biosphere is. In his opinion, this is an independent shell of the Earth, which is created by living organisms. This definition finds support among many scientists - both contemporaries of E. Suess, and ours.

Later in 1926 Vernadsky supplemented this concept. What is the biosphere according to the teachings of V.I. Vernadsky? The scientist in his work says that the living shell of the Earth is made up not only by organisms, but also by their habitat. That is, it complements E. Suss's definition with a biogeochemical component. However, not all scientists support VI. Vernadsky. Therefore, at the moment, there are two equal definitions of the concept of "biosphere": according to Suess (narrow understanding) and Vernadsky (broad understanding).

According to the teachings of Vernadsky, the living shell exists at the expense of the energy of the Sun and has its limits. The boundaries of the biosphere will coincide with the boundaries of life on Earth. Thus, the upper boundary passes at an altitude of 15-20 km (the entire troposphere and the lower layers of the stratosphere); Lower captures sea and oceanic Hollows at a depth of more than 10 km and the depths of the earth at a depth of 3 km. The results of life of the activity of organisms are seen in the form of sedimentary rocks and at greater depth. The remaining parts of the Earth's shells, where there is no life, as well as outer space, are for the living shell of our planet environment.

So what is the biosphere in the modern sense, and at the expense of what does it exist? Based on the teachings of E. Suess and V. Vernadsky, taking into account modern discoveries, we can say that the "ball of life" is an open thermodynamic envelope of the Earth, the "work" of which is carried out through the interaction of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. The structure of this sphere includes all organisms and their remains, parts of the air, water and solid earth's shell, which are inhabited by organisms and change under the influence of their activities.

To maintain functioning, this shell of the Earth must possess Certain properties that help it to exist.

Basic properties of the biosphere:

1. The central link is living matter.
2. Openness: it needs energy, which comes from outside - solar energy.
3. Self-regulation (homeostasis): it is able to return to its original state, using certain mechanisms for this. For example, the colonization of soil by microorganisms and the restoration of vegetation after the eruption of the volcano. However, now this property can not always work because of human interference in nature (the creation of agrocenoses, that is, artificial ecosystems that lack the ability to recover independently).
4. A great variety of species, which guarantees its stability.
5. Cycle of substances.

Summing up and answering the question what is the biosphere, we can say that this is a special, living shell of the Earth, a global ecosystem that has its borders and certain properties that help it to exist.