Coevolution of Life and Earth's Systems (HS-ESS2-7): Construct an argument based on evidence about the coevolution of Earth's systems and life on Earth.

The Earth is a complex system where different systems interact and influence each other, resulting in a coevolution of Earth's systems and life on Earth. Understanding this coevolution requires examining the dynamic causes, effects, and feedbacks between the biosphere and other Earth systems. Examples of such interactions include how the outgassing of water from Earth's interior led to the development of Earth's early oceans and the evolution of microorganisms, how photosynthetic life altered the atmosphere through the production of oxygen, and how microbial life on land increased the formation of soil, which allowed for the evolution of land plants.

Main Concepts:

  1. Life on Earth has evolved in response to changes in the planet's geologic, atmospheric, and oceanic systems, and has in turn affected these systems. For example, the evolution of photosynthetic organisms led to the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere, which dramatically altered the chemistry of the Earth's surface.
  2. Earth's systems, such as the carbon and water cycles, have played a significant role in shaping the evolution of life on Earth. For example, the rate of weathering of rocks and minerals has affected the availability of nutrients, which has influenced the diversity and abundance of life forms.
  3. Life on Earth has also had a significant impact on the planet's surface, through processes such as the formation of soil, the creation of reefs, and the accumulation of organic matter in sediments.
  4. The interactions between Earth's systems and life on Earth are complex and dynamic, involving both positive and negative feedbacks. For example, the uptake of carbon dioxide by plants through photosynthesis can help regulate the planet's climate, but deforestation and other land-use changes can release large amounts of carbon back into the atmosphere.

Question and Answer Section:

  1. What is the coevolution of Earth's systems and life on Earth? Answer: The coevolution of Earth's systems and life on Earth refers to how different systems on Earth interact and influence each other, resulting in a continuous evolution of both systems.
  2. How do geoscience factors influence the evolution of life? Answer: Geoscience factors, such as outgassing and weathering rates, can control the evolution of life by creating new environments and changing existing ones.
  3. How does the evolution of life alter Earth's surface? Answer: The evolution of life alters Earth's surface by creating new habitats, such as soil, and by changing patterns of erosion and deposition.
  4. What are some examples of interactions between Earth's systems and life on Earth? Answer: Examples of interactions between Earth's systems and life on Earth include the outgassing of water leading to the development of Earth's early oceans and the evolution of microorganisms, photosynthetic life altering the atmosphere through the production of oxygen, and the evolution of corals creating reefs that alter patterns of erosion and deposition.
  5. How can we study the coevolution of Earth's systems and life on Earth? Answer: We can study the coevolution of Earth's systems and life on Earth by examining dynamic causes, effects, and feedbacks between the biosphere and other Earth systems.
  6. What are stromatolites? Answer: Stromatolites are rock-like structures formed by the growth of layers of microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria, in shallow water environments.
  7. How did the outgassing of water from Earth's interior lead to the evolution of microorganisms? Answer: The outgassing of water from Earth's interior led to the development of Earth's early oceans, which provided a suitable environment for the evolution of microorganisms.
  8. How did the production of oxygen by photosynthetic life alter the atmosphere? Answer: The production of oxygen by photosynthetic life altered the atmosphere by increasing the amount of oxygen and allowing for the evolution of animal life.
  9. How did the evolution of land plants contribute to the formation of soil? Answer: The evolution of land plants contributed to the formation of soil by creating habitats for microorganisms that break down rocks and organic matter into soil.
  10. How did the creation of reefs alter patterns of erosion and deposition along coastlines? Answer: The creation of reefs altered patterns of erosion and deposition along coastlines by providing habitats for new life forms and creating barriers that change the direction of water flow.

*continue your studies by accessing another review sheet below*

Space Systems: HS-ESS1-1 : HS-ESS1-2 : HS-ESS1-3 : HS-ESS1-4 : HS-ESS1-7

History of the Earth: HS-ESS1-5 : HS-ESS1-6 : HS-ESS2-1

Earth's Systems: HS-ESS2-2 : HS-ESS2-3 : HS-ESS2-5 : HS-ESS2-6 : HS-ESS2-7

Weather and Climate: HS-ESS2-4 : HS-ESS3-5 : HS-ESS2-8

Human Sustainability: HS-ESS3-1 : HS-ESS3-2 : HS-ESS3-3 : HS-ESS3-4 : HS.ESS3-6

Disclaimer: The information provided is intended to serve as a study guide based on a contextual analysis of the NGSS standards for the Earth and Space Science assessment. These study guides should be used as a supplement to your overall study strategy, and their alignment to the actual test format is not guaranteed. We recommend that you consult with your instructor for additional guidance on exam preparation.