The part of Earth where living things exist, including the atmosphere, oceans, land, and all the ecosystems within them.
From 'eco-' (house, environment) and 'sphere' (globe). This term was popularized in the 1960s as environmental awareness grew and scientists needed a word for Earth's life-supporting system as a whole.
The ecosphere is basically Earth's 'life bubble'—a relatively thin layer where conditions are just right for life, from deep ocean vents to high mountain peaks, all interconnected in one living system.
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