Page 190 - Innovator's Science-8

helping to refill lakes, rivers, and underground water. Rainfall patterns
affect what types of plants and animals can survive in different regions.

Moving wind plays a major role in weather and rainfall, directly influencing
agriculture and life on land.

Soil, Rocks, and Minerals

Beneath the surface lies the Earth’s crust, made up of rocks, soil, and
minerals. Although it may appear lifeless, this layer provides almost
everything needed for survival. It supports ecosystems and human life by
offering resources like fertile soil, minerals, metals, coal, oil, and natural
gas. This solid part of Earth is known as the geosphere .

Rocks
Soil may seem like simple dirt, but it contains nutrients such as nitrogen and
potassium, which plants need to grow. These nutrients come from the

breakdown of rocks and the remains of dead plants and animals over time.
The Earth features a wide variety of landforms, rock types, and soil
compositions. This natural variety, called geodiversity , helps create

different habitats where a wide range of life forms can thrive.
These non-living components— rocks, soil, and water— are more
than just a background; they play an active role in shaping and

supporting life.
Geodiversity
Plants, Animals, and Microorganisms

Life on Earth is incredibly diverse. From massive trees and animals to tiny
insects and microscopic organisms, the planet is full of living beings. All
these forms of life, along with their environments, make up the biosphere.
The biosphere includes land, water, and air— spaces where living

organisms interact with each other and their surroundings to survive and
grow. Life is deeply interconnected. Plants use sunlight to make food,
Microorganisms animals rely on plants or other animals for energy, and decomposers like
fungi and bacteria break down waste and dead matter, returning nutrients

to the soil. This cycle ensures that energy and matter flow through
ecosystems in a balanced way.

The Importance of Balance

Earth functions as a single, interconnected system– where land, air,
water, and living organisms all influence one another. Everything is
connected, and balance is the key. For example, cutting down
forests can reduce rainfall, damage soil quality, and disturb wildlife
habitats.

Cutting down of forests
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