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Biosphere 2

Biosphere 2 is an Earth system science research facility in Oracle, Arizona, originally built as a sealed, artificial ecological system.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Biosphere 2 is an Earth system science research facility in Oracle, Arizona, originally built as a sealed, artificial ecological system. It was designed to study closed ecological systems and the possibility of supporting human life in space, and it remains in use for research and education.

History

Biosphere 2 was constructed between 1987 and 1991 in Oracle, Arizona, as an artificial closed ecological system. It was sealed for experiments beginning in the early 1990s, and its early human missions were intended to test long-duration life in a materially closed environment.

Design and biomes

The complex was built to mimic Earth-like environments under controlled conditions. It contains five main biomes, including rainforest, ocean, savanna, desert, and wetlands, along with an agricultural area.

Scientific purpose

The project was created to investigate closed ecological systems, biosphere interactions, and life-support concepts relevant to space exploration. It also provided data for ecological and environmental research.

Later use

After the original missions, Biosphere 2 continued as a research and educational facility. It is now associated with the University of Arizona and used for Earth system science studies, including research on climate change and ecological systems.

Key facts

  • Biosphere 2 is the largest closed ecological system ever created.
  • It was built between 1987 and 1991 to test self-sustaining human habitats for space missions.
  • The facility includes five biomes: rainforest, ocean, savanna, desert, and wetlands.
  • Early 1990s missions involved a crew living inside and drew international attention.
  • It is now operated by the University of Arizona for research and education.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Biosphere 2 as a landmark in environmental science and systems research, with relevance to climate change, ecology, and space-life-support studies that also interest Canadian universities and agencies.

Frequently asked questions

What is Biosphere 2?
Biosphere 2 is a research facility in Arizona built as a large, sealed ecological system to study closed environments and Earth systems.
Where is Biosphere 2 located?
It is located in Oracle, Arizona, in the United States.
Why was Biosphere 2 built?
It was built to test whether humans could live in a self-sustaining closed system and to study ecological processes relevant to space travel.
What biomes are inside Biosphere 2?
It includes a rainforest, ocean with coral reef, savanna, desert, and wetlands, along with human and agricultural areas.
Is Biosphere 2 still active?
Yes. It remains an active research and education facility.
Who operates Biosphere 2 now?
It is operated by the University of Arizona.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2
    Supports: Location, construction dates, size, original purpose, largest closed ecological system claim, and current use.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Biosphere-2
    Supports: Facility description, location, and early missions studying human survivability in sealed conditions.
  3. National Geographic Education — https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/biosphere/
    Supports: Early crew mission, five biomes, and continued research focus.
  4. ScienceDirect Topics — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/biosphere-2
    Supports: Research facility description, enclosed ecosystems, and original scientific goals.