What Are the Functions of the Biosphere?

Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is the vast body of air that surrounds Earth. It is responsible for important functions, including providing oxygen necessary for life. The atmosphere is also responsible for wind, storms and lightning. You can also look at the atmosphere as a distributor of goods; for example, the combination of winds and rainstorms provide water to inland areas of the planet to support plant and animal life.

Lithosphere

• The lithosphere is the outermost crust of Earth's surface. It is made of inorganic materials such as rock. The lithosphere is important to life because over time, rock weathers and forms soil. Soil combined with air and water supports plant life. The soil also is a container of important materials such as nitrogen, carbon and other organic materials necessary for life.

Hydrosphere

• The hydrosphere has two components: the river system and the oceans. The river systems are freshwater transports that move water from high elevations to low elevations. Oceans receive the water from the river systems. The hydrosphere supports all marine and freshwater organisms on the planet. The water present in the hydrosphere is a vital component of all life on the planet.

Cycling

• The biosphere is responsible for cycling materials that are vital for life. Two such cycles are the water cycle and the nitrogen cycle. The cycling of materials changes the material from one form to another, which life can then utilize. For example, in the nitrogen cycle, bacteria transforms ammonia to nitrites and nitrates, which plants can utilize. In the water cycle, water is transformed from liquid to gas, then back to liquid in the form of precipitation. Life itself is a cycle, which utilizes resources that are then given back to the planet when the organism dies.