Ecosystems

The air that surrounds Earth. Its composition is around 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and the 0.1 accounts for all of the other gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.

• atmosphere
• abyssal zone
• tropical zone
• terrestrial

Ocean zone with decreasing amount of light in this level with a depth of about 200 to 2000 meters

• bathyal zone
• atmosphere
• abyssal zone
• tropical zone

Distinct biological communities that have formed in response to a shared physical climate.

• biomes
• bathyal zone
• atmosphere
• abyssal zone

All organisms and the part of Earth where they exist.

• biosphere
• biomes
• bathyal zone
• atmosphere

The long-term pattern of weather conditions in a region.

• climate
• biosphere
• biomes
• bathyal zone

A partially enclosed, coastal water body where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean.

• estuary
• climate
• biosphere
• biomes

Large communities of plants and animals centered around waters with less than 1% salt concentration, including ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and some wetlands.

• freshwater biomes
• estuary
• climate
• biosphere

Theory that proposes that living organisms interact with their inorganic surroundings on Earth to form a synergistic and self-regulating, complex system that helps to maintain and perpetuate the conditions for life on the planet.

• Gaia paradigm
• freshwater biomes
• estuary
• climate

Includes the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere and comprises all of the abiotic factors that are found on Earth.

• geosphere
• Gaia paradigm
• freshwater biomes
• estuary

The combined mass of water found on, under, and above the surface of Earth.

• hydrosphere
• geosphere
• Gaia paradigm
• freshwater biomes