BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.3

LIVING IN THE EXTREMES OF THE BIOSPHERE

Even though earthquakes, hurricanes, and hot, humid summers might make it seem otherwise, the fact is that humans live in a “comfort zone” close to the surface of the Earth. There are many species, however, that live outside of this comfort zone. What makes these regions different from the com- fort zone we live in? What challenges would humans face if they chose — or were forced — to live in the extremes of the biosphere?

Look carefully at the image The Biosphere, on the next page, paying par-ticular attention to the information the image provides about the highest and lowest points above and below the surface of the Earth where species are found. Note what these extreme locations are like.

As quickly as you can, make a list of 10 challenges that humans would face if they lived in these extremes of the biosphere.

Be prepared to share your list with the class.

BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 5.3

LIVING IN THE EXTREMES OF THE BIOSPHERE

BIOSPHERECOMFORTZONE

RÜPPELL'S GRIFFON Gypps rupelli

BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus

MOST BIRDS Fly within 2 km of the ground

MOST LIFE ON EARTH Lives in a thin layer on, near, or under the surface

SPERM WHALEPhyseter macrocephalus

EXTREMOPHILE BACTERIAStaphylothermus marinus &Thermoproteus tenax

DEVIL WORMHalicephalobus mephisto

GIANT SQUIDArchiteuthis dux

ANGLERFISHCryptopsaras couesii

SNAILFISHLiparidae

FORAMINIFERASingle-celled protists

12

8.8

5

3

0

2

11

KILOMETERS

AIR

SEA

LAND

MOUNT EVEREST

CHALLENGER DEEP

Its summit 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level, Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain. Located on the Nepal-Tibet border, Everest is one of many peaks taller than 8,000 meters in the massive Himalayan range. The Himalayas were formed 40–50 million years ago when the Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate. The intense cold at this altitude makes for a rough habitat, but birds have been seen flying over Everest and some even nest on its lower slopes.

At least 10,902 meters (35,768 feet) below sea level, Challenger Deep is the deepest depression in the western Pacific’s Mariana Trench. The trench, near Guam, was formed when the Pacific plate was subducted beneath the smaller Mariana plate. The pressure this deep in the ocean is more than a thousand times that at sea level, but some organismsthrive in these extreme conditions.