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Abstract
Essential insights on the characterization and quality of a detectable biosphere are gained by analyzing the effects of its environmental parameters. We compiled environmental and biological properties of the Phanerozoic Eon from various published data sets and conducted a correlation analysis to assess variations in parameters relevant to the habitability of Earth’s biosphere. We showed that environmental parameters such as oxygen, global average surface temperatures, runoff rates and carbon dioxide are interrelated and play a key role in the changes of biomass and biodiversity. We showed that there were several periods with a highly thriving biosphere, with one even surpassing present day biodiversity and biomass. Those periods were characterized by increased oxygen levels and global runoff rates, as well as moderate global average surface temperatures, as long as no large or rapid positive and/or negative temperature excursions occurred. High oxygen contents are diagnostic of biomass production by continental plant life. We find that exceptionally high oxygen levels can at least in one instance compensate for decreased relative humidities, providing an even more habitable environment compared to today. Beyond Earth, these results will help us to understand how environmental parameters affect biospheres on extrasolar planets and guide us in our search for extraterrestrial life.
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Details
1 Technische Universität Berlin, Astrobiology Research Group, Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik, Berlin, Germany (GRID:grid.6734.6) (ISNI:0000 0001 2292 8254)
2 Technische Universität Berlin, Astrobiology Research Group, Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik, Berlin, Germany (GRID:grid.6734.6) (ISNI:0000 0001 2292 8254); Section Geomicrobiology, GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany (GRID:grid.23731.34) (ISNI:0000 0000 9195 2461); Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Department of Experimental Limnology, Stechlin, Germany (GRID:grid.419247.d) (ISNI:0000 0001 2108 8097); Washington State University, School of the Environment, Pullman, USA (GRID:grid.30064.31) (ISNI:0000 0001 2157 6568)
3 Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, Göttingen, Germany (GRID:grid.435826.e) (ISNI:0000 0001 2284 9011); Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Institut für Astrophysik, Göttingen, Germany (GRID:grid.7450.6) (ISNI:0000 0001 2364 4210)