Name: Block: Date:

Earth’s Spheres are Interconnected Student Worksheet

Part A: Vocabulary:

Please find and write the definitions of the words below. These definitions can be found in the pdf textbook pages provided in this assignment (These will not be in the textbook you have at home. Use the pdf document provided in this assignment). Definitions for the following words are found on pages 286 & 287.

Biotic:

Abiotic:

Atmosphere:

Geosphere:

Hydrosphere:

Biosphere:

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Part B: Understanding of “Interconnectedness”:

While watching the following three videos on how interconnected the Earth’s spheres are, think about how the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere are all interconnected:

- Wolves and Yellowstone National Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q

-Sea Otters, Kelp Forests and Carbon Fixing: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140121-sea-otters-our-ocean-protectors

-Salmon and Tree Growth: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140218-salmon-fertilising-the-forests

After watching all three of the above videos, write 6 interactions you observed between the Earth’s spheres (state the spheres that are interconnected in each of your examples):

Example: Introducing wolves (part of the biosphere) to Yellowstone Park contributed to an increase in the number of beavers, who dammed the creeks and rivers (part of the hydrosphere) helping to raise, in certain places, the level of the water. (You may not use this as one of your examples).

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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Part C: Understanding Interconnectedness of Earth’s Spheres:

You are part of the biosphere.1. Think about how you interact with each of the other spheres. List a minimum of three

ways you interact with each of the other spheres in the table below.

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

2. For each of the interactions you listed above (minimum of 3 for each of hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere), explain if that interaction you have with sphere is positive, negative, or neutral in affect and answer the question below that corresponds to your choice about affect:

a. If positive, why should other people do the same thing?b. If negative, what could you do differently to make your interaction neutral or

positive?c. If neutral, what could you do differently to make your interaction positive?

Example: I interact with the biosphere by eating plants like an apple. This is a neutral interaction, as I am eating a plant which decreases our planet’s biosphere, but it is likely that the apple tree will regrow or produce more fruit. (you may not use this as one of your answers)

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Bonus: As you are a part of the biosphere you can create a visual presentation using an 8 ½ x 14 piece of paper showing your interactions with the atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere (see example below, you cannot copy this example). You can then insert an image of your drawing into this document or attach it in the “My Work” section.