OBJECTIVES

1 -- FUNDAMENTAL BIOSPHERIC PROCESSES

1.1 Photosynthesis

1.2 Primary Production

2 -- ENERGY FLOW AND IMPORTANT CYCLES IN THE BIOSPHERE

2.1 Energy Flow

2.2 Hydrologic Cycle

2.3 Biogeochemical Cycles

      2.3.1 Carbon

      2.3.2 Additional Elements

3 -- THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY IN THE BIOSPHERE

3.1 Human Consumption of Net Primary Production (NPP)

3.2 Agricultural Ecosystems (Crop Production)

3.3 Deforestation and Biomass Burning

3.4 Some International Differences

REVIEW QUESTIONS

REFERENCES