The oceans lower atmosphere and continents are parts of the

The oceans, lower atmosphere, and continents are parts of the biosphere.

The biosphere is composed of the parts of planet Earth where life exists and it is the total of all the ecosystems. The biosphere along with lithosphere (rock), hydrosphere (water) and atmosphere (air) are the four layers that surround the earth. The biosphere covers a wide area from the deepest root systems of trees, to rainforest, to the ocean depth and high mountaintops. The biosphere contains living organisms and nonliving things from which they obtain energy and nutrients.

desert perennials often survive by remaining dormant during dry periods of the year, then springing to life when water becomes available. most annual desert plants germinate only after heavy seasonal rain, then complete their reproductive cycle very quickly.