Geography, Environment, Conservation: National Geographic Geography Action

	• Habitats Home
	Habitats • Introduction • Cities and Suburbs • Deserts and Tundra • Forests • Fresh Water • Oceans and Coasts • Prairies

	More on Habitats • Explore Your Habitat • Games and Activities • Photo Galleries • Tell Us! • For Educators • Sponsors, Partners, and Credits
	• About Geography Action!

Geography Action Habitats - Introduction

Seen from a satellite, the "Blue Planet" is a giant superhabitat floating in the void of space. Photograph by © The Stocktrek Corp/Brand X Pictures/PictureQuest

Spaceship Earth: The Mother of All Habitats

Earth is the only planet, so far as we know, that will support the tremendous varieties of plant and animal life that we call biodiversity. In fact, Earth may be the only planet that supports life at all. Earth has all "the right stuff," a unique combination of air, water, soil, climate, and sunlight that allows life to flourish in many forms. Each life-form, from bacteria to blue whales to humans, requires a specific type of habitat—an area with all the resources that species need to survive.

Although habitats like deserts and rain forests are very different, all of them together form a complex life-support system for every living thing on the planet. The first photographs of Earth from space allowed us to see our planet for the first time as it is, a small blue sphere moving through the blackness of space. People began to use the term "Spaceship Earth" to help explain the idea that we must all work together, like the crew of a spaceship, to take care of all the habitats that make our planet home.

Habitats—
The Basics >>

Photo Gallery
Introduction >>

Online Adventure


	Wild World: Explore Earth's richest, rarest ecosystems >>

North America Map >>

Related Links >>

Lesson Plans

Grades K-2:
Elementary Ecosystems >>

Grades 3-5:
Lewis and Clark: Facing Challenges—Real and Imagined >>

Grades 6-8:
Postcards From the Edge: Endangered Species >>

Grades 9-12:
Can Captive Breeding Save Species >>

Earth Talk at the Eco-Portal
Share ideas and talk about issues at this discussion community dedicated to bringing about environmental sustainability through environmental advocacy.

eNature
Want to know what kinds of plants and animals are in your backyard? Just plug in your zip code! You can also send an e-mail to a wildlife expert.

The Learning Web
This U.S. Geological Survey site has project ideas for students, lesson plans for teachers, and other resources for anyone interested in Earth and its ecosystems.

National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation features nature and conservation news. NWF also spotlights the world's special natural places—and shows you how to take action to protect them.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Want to know what the Environmental Protection Agency is doing to safeguard our environment? You can find out here, plus research topics from acid rain to watersheds.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Learn about habitats and the animals that live in them, then explore the vast National Wildlife Refuge System, important in habitat preservation across the United States.

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