Produced by Annette Heist, Ruth Lichtman, and Flora Lichtman
How high does Earth’s biosphere extend? Researchers have found life—in the form of microbes—as far as 32 kilometers (20 miles) into the atmosphere, capable of riding air currents around the globe. This animated short documentary explores the little-studied ecosystems high above our heads. At the outermost edge is the stratosphere, an extreme place to live by any stretch. Cold and dry, with almost no shield from radiation, the stratosphere is not unlike the surface of Mars, scientists say—and yet some organisms are able to withstand its harsh conditions. A bit closer to Earth’s surface is the troposphere, where some high-flying microbes find respite in the clouds—oases in an aerial desert. Why should we care about these tiny life forms miles above our heads? New research is beginning to reveal that some of these tropospheric residents influence the weather patterns we experience far below.
Hi, I’m Dave, the executive director of bioGraphic. (And that’s my dog, Finn.) Thanks for taking the time to read this story.
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We need your support more than ever, as governments slash funding for conservation and scientific research, placing even more ecosystems and wildlife at risk around the world. At bioGraphic, we’re steadfastly shining a light on the threats to our planet’s incredible biodiversity. And we’re showcasing the hard work of people bravely taking action to protect at-risk species.
bioGraphic publishes environmental reporting that you can’t find anywhere else: deeply researched, trustworthy stories that are also beautiful and captivating to read. We offer an antidote to reader apathy and doom-and-gloom news by revealing the wonders of the natural world and focusing on real solutions to big problems. When you finish a bioGraphic story, we want to leave you feeling informed, delighted, and inspired.
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