ecosphere

American  

[ek-oh-sfeer, ee-koh-] / ˈɛk oʊˌsfɪər, ˈi koʊ- /

noun

1. Also called physiological atmosphere.  the part of the atmosphere in which it is possible to breathe normally without aid: the portion of the troposphere from sea level to an altitude of about 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).

2. Ecology. the planetary ecosystem, including all the earth's living organisms and their physical environment; biosphere.

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ecosphere British  

/ ˈiːkəʊˌsfɪə, ˈɛkəʊ- /

noun

1. the planetary ecosystem, consisting of all living organisms and their environment

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ecosphere Scientific  

/ ē′kō-sfîr′ /

1. The regions of the Earth that are capable of supporting life, together with the ecosystems they contain; the biosphere.

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Etymology

Origin of ecosphere

First recorded in 1950–55; eco- + sphere

Explanation

The ecosphere is the area on and around the earth where life exists. Organisms can only survive outside the ecosphere in an artificially protected environment, like a spaceship. Ecosphere is another word for biosphere — the area around a planet that contains everything that's needed to sustain life. In the case of Earth, that means oxygen and the other elements required for organisms to survive. Astronomers have a somewhat different definition of ecosphere which includes areas where life might potentially exist. The word was coined in the mid-20th century, from eco-, "the environment," and sphere, "space."

Related Words

• atmosphere
• ecosystem