Life Effects The Landscape

The life forms that make up the biosphere do more than just live on Earth. They also interact with it, and are responsible for making great changes in the way that the Earth has evolved.

Consider the atmosphere. Our atmosphere is comprised of approximately 21% oxygen. Where did that oxygen come from? The early Earth did not have very much oxygen in the air. Most of it had been trapped by the seas, and locked up in the rocks and soil. Slowly over millions of years, plants released oxygen into the air, greatly increasing its abundance, and making animal life possible.

Life effects the landscape in many other ways. Plant roots help keep soil from being carried away by rain water. Small rodents and reptiles dig tunnels, beavers build dams, creating temporary lakes, and ponds, and humans build a variety of projects large and small.

Without life the planet Earth would have evolved very differently, indeed.