The biosphere is not a static, immutable object. On the contrary, it evolves over the years. Living organisms are one of the fundamental factors in its development. From the moment of their appearance, they changed the composition of the biosphere, expanded its boundaries. As a result of their continuous activity, various minerals and rocks appeared on the planet, the terrain changed non-stop, and the atmosphere of the Earth was completely transformed.
Consider the stages of the evolution of the biosphere:
- the emergence of the primary biosphere (approximately 4.6-3.5 billion years ago);
- the complication of biocenosis (3.5 billion years ago);
- the noosphere is the result of the formation of the human race.
Since the advent of man, the evolution of the biosphere began to proceed mainly under his influence. In just a few centuries, the rapid development of science, industry and technology has contributed to a significant acceleration of atom migration. People created several thousand new varieties and breeds, exterminated many species of plants and animals, and extracted a huge amount of minerals from the crust of the globe. Humanity, of course, is insignificant in its biomass, however, the evolution of the biosphere was a consequence of the factor controlling it with immeasurable energy.
Usually, people unreasonably use the natural resources at their disposal. Some ancient states disappeared due to a reckless attitude towards nature. As a result of deforestation, the soil was dried out, which affected the local and global climate.
In today's world, the environment is also polluted by industrial enterprises. Factories and plants often dispose of wastewater without proper treatment, thereby polluting ponds with toxins. Hydroelectric power plants impede standard river fish migration. In connection with the emergence of new cities, the area of meadows and forests has decreased, which maintain the oxygen concentration at the level necessary for life. Careless utilization of atomic energy has led to the pollution of nature by radiation, causing cancer.
The evolution of the biosphere directly depends on the increase in the population of our planet (today, seven billion people already live on it). In the near future, aggravation of food problems is not excluded, therefore, various studies are already being carried out to develop new plant species, as well as animal breeds, which will certainly affect the environment.
Today there is a need for the wise use of natural resources. We need to protect the atmosphere, soil, water, and wildlife. In this regard, many states have already adopted a number of environmental laws. Created by the so-called "Red Books" - annotated lists of rare and endangered species of mushrooms, plants and animals. Ecological conservation communities have emerged. The most popular among them is Greenpeace.
Reserves also play a significant role in environmental protection. Outsiders are forbidden access to their territory, and any economic activity is not permitted. Today in Russia alone there are about a hundred reserves.
The evolution of the biosphere implies serious climatic changes in it. For example, the freon chemical released into the atmosphere depletes the ozone layer. Currently, there are invariably zones over Antarctica and several neighboring regions in which the gas layer is either very thin or completely absent.
The evolution of the Earth’s biosphere also depends on a fraction of the solar radiation reaching the surface of our planet.
Emission of particulate matter and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere causes a greenhouse effect, as a result of which the air temperature constantly rises. Its increase by only a couple of degrees can cause flooding of the ocean coasts, including the densely populated regions of Eastern and Western Europe, South America, and Hindustan.
From the foregoing, it can be concluded that global climate change caused by human activities is today's “world headache”.
