Ecosphere (science)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. You can assist by editing it now. A how-to guide is available, as is general documentation. This article has been tagged since March 2007. |
 |
The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page. |
|
This article or section is written like an advertisement. Please help rewrite this article from a neutral point of view per Wikipedia policy. Mark blatant advertising for speedy deletion with {{db-spam}}. (help, talk) |
An Ecosphere is an enclosed, self-contained and self-sustaining closed ecosystem sold primarily as a gift. It can include tiny shrimp, algae, gravel, decorative shells, and gorgonia.
Ecospheres contain some of the same essential elements that are found on Earth. The Earth is represented by the gravel at the bottom, with water filling two-thirds of the sphere, while air fills the balance of the space. Light streams in each day from the sun. Finally, the life: typically algae, shrimp and microbes float and swim in the water.
The average lifespan of an ecosphere is two years but some can survive for up to 18 years. Ecospheres use resources in a way that avoids contaminating their environment so they require very little maintenance other than keeping them within a habitable temperature and providing an adequate amount of light.
Contents |
[edit] Origin of the Ecosphere
The ecosphere is the result of technology developed by scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA was researching self-contained communities for space explorers to live in during long-term space flights. Out of this research came the ecosphere - an ecosystem of animal and plant life in perfect balance.
[edit] Materials used in building ecospheres
The shrimp in most ecospheres sold in the United States are Halocaridina rubra, found in Hawaii's anchialine ponds and in the water table. [1]
[edit] Constructing your own ecosphere
One doesn't have to spend a dime to enjoy the study of a sealed miniature world. The process of constructing and caring for a homemade ecosphere is surprisingly simple. You will need a large canister (preferably transparent so you can view your world), water, an assortment of organisms, and some organic matter. While some people carefully plan out the population of their ecosphere, many successful cultures begin with a two gallon jar filled to within two inches of the top with water from a local pond, lake, or river, to which a couple of handfuls of mud from the bottom have been added.
[edit] In the media
The ecosphere was reviewed by Carl Sagan in a 1986 Parade magazine article titled "The World That Came in the Mail."
[edit] External links
- DIY Science - Ecosphere Interactive educational website by the BBC and the Open University.
- Ecosphere Associates, Inc Sells ecospheres.
- The World that Came in the Mail Carl Sagan article about an ecosphere.
- Ecospheres you can make at home.
