Publisher's Synopsis
Emulating the Earth itself (Biosphere 1), Biosphere 2 is by far the largest self-sustaining ecosystem ever built, containing under its three-acre glass-domed complex a rainforest, a savannah, a marsh, an ocean, a desert, a farm and a "microcity" - with 3,800 species of plant and animal inhabitants. For two years all the air, water and waste is recycled.;What is learned in Biosphere 2 will help us understand more about life on Earth, and better manage Earth's resources. It will also lay the groundwork for creating self-sustaining environments for space travel and colonisation of the unique cathedral-like glass-enclosed structure, the formidable task of planning and creating its various biome ecosystems, and the careful selection and assemblage of the plants, insects, reptiles and mammals that form its complex web of life.;John Allen co-authored the book "Space Biospheres" and he was scientific editor of "The Biosphere Catalogue".
