Symposium Introduction

Biosphere acts as a huge and extremely complex ecosystem, working in steady state on the basis of the fine regulation of all of its component parts and processes.

The stability of the biosphere is based on the high diversity of living organisms, separate groups that perform different functions in maintaining overall flow of matter and energy distribution, the closely interwoven and relationship of biogenic and abiogenic processes, complying cycles individual elements and balancing capacity of individual reservoirs. In biosphere are complex feedback system and dependency.

Studies show that at least the last 600 million years, beginning the Cambrian, the nature of the basic cycles on Earth has not significantly changed.

Carries out fundamental geochemical processes, characteristic for modern era: the accumulation of oxygen, the binding of the inert sodium deposition of calcium, the formation of siliceous shale, deposition of iron and manganese ores, sulfide minerals, the accumulation of phosphorus, and so were changes only the speed of these processes. Apparently did not change significantly and the overall flow of atoms involved in a living organisms. There is reason to believe that mass of living matter has remained roughly constant since carbon, ie Biosphere has since supported herself in a certain mode gyres. The steady state of the biosphere is due primarily activities of the living substance, providing a speed fixation of solar energy and the biogenic migration of atoms. Thus, life the Earth itself stabilizes the conditions of its existence, which gives it opportunity to grow indefinitely.