PART II THE BIOSPHERE AND THE GEOGRAPHY OF LIFE

PARTII

THE BIOSPHERE AND THE GEOGRAPHY OF LIFE

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Sunlight powers the biosphere. Almost all living organisms depend on solar energy. Part II explores the global geographic patterns of life on land and in the oceans, soil and water resources, and the human transformation of the biosphere.

CHAPTER 7

PATTERNS OF LIFE: Biogeography

Geographic patterns of life are determined by natural factors and by human activities.

CHAPTER 8

CLIMATE AND LIFE: Biomes

Climate and human activity determine vegetation types across Earth’s surface.

CHAPTER 9

SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES

Soil and water resources are essential for human well being.

CHAPTER 10

THE LIVING HYDROSPHERE: Ocean Ecosystems

Ocean ecosystems are patterned geographically and changed by people.

(Chapter 7: © Philippe Michel/age fotostock; Chapter 8: © Bill Bachmann/age fotostock; Chapter 9: © Morales/age fotostock; Chapter 10: © Reinhard Dirscherl/WaterFrame/Getty Images)