Biosphere 2, Fascination, Confusion, and Redemption North of Tucson
Written: Jun 26 '02 (Updated Jul 16 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: An amazing resource with learning opportunity galore.
Cons: Considerable walking. Tourist tours are not the primary focus.
The Bottom Line: Biosphere 2 is an amazing facility for learning about our Earth. Scientists and university students learn, but so can you by taking a tour there.
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| fhkerr's Full Review: Arizona |
What and Where
One of the leading Tucson area attractions is Biosphere 2. Guests from elsewhere often ask where Biosphere 1 is. Biosphere is a term that refers to the thin envelope of soil, water, and atmosphere around Earth in which life is found. So, No. 1 is that in which we have lived all these many years. Biosphere 2 is an enclosed, but huge, laboratory permitting study of the Biosphere under controlled conditions.
Biosphere 2 began under media spotlight on September 26, 1991, 4 men and 4 women entered this sealed environment to determine how humans could sustain themselves in a closed space and what the problems would be. It was the idea of a wealthy Texan who built the facility. The first group of “Biospherans” stayed for 2 years, and a great deal was learned during that time. A second group entered for the next phase, but conflict arose concerning employment status, and probably other issues. As a result, some sabotage occurred, and the second phase was aborted amid considerable public ridicule. Redemption came later when the true potential for research was realized.
Until recently, this valuable facility was being managed by Columbia University for research, education, and public outreach. Apparently, budget problems at Columbia caused it to return Biosphere 2 to its original owner.
This review covers Biosphere 2 as a public attraction.
Why Go?
Since each of us has a stake in the future of this Earth, no destination is more important than Biosphere 2. Here, insights can be gained available nowhere else. That is true for those with extensive scientific education and those without. It is true for people from about Age 8 up.
The Tours
After stopping at the ticket window, visitors walk along a path to the Visitors Center. As they look down on the facilities themselves, it is impossible to avoid a sense of awe at the engineering achievement. In the Visitors Center, an informed volunteer welcomes everyone to view a very informative film for orientation. Also on display is a model of Biosphere 2 and several informative exhibits concerning what we know of ecology and what we seek to know.
The tour then continues down the hill to the demonstration module, where the lung concept was perfected to allow a sealed volume of air to expand and contract without breaking the glass. A series of buildings then allow visitors to see up close the variety of plants and conditions extant in the main facility.
Upon reaching the big greenhouse itself, the tour guide points out features of each biome from outside. Then, the tour continues into the habitat, the area where the original Biospherans had their quarters. It is interesting to learn of their difficulties in securing enough food and how they actually lived there for two years.
From the habitat, the tour passes the control room where temperature, humidity, and atmospheric chemistry is carefully controlled. Tour guides explain more about current research experiments and their importance.
Next, comes descent to the lower level where exhibits demonstrate facts and issues in ecology. How deep was the ice over New York during the ice age? What is the historic temperature range of Earth? Would you prefer the way it was for the dinosaurs or the wholly mammoths? As carbon dioxide levels increase, which plants will thrive and which will fail? The issues are endless, and the displays do a good job of informing and stimulating more questions.
After allowing time in the exhibit halls, the tour then leads through a small area of rain forest and back outside to Biosphere 1. Again, explanations are provided as the tour passes the desert biome and a transition area. Guests are invited to descend by stairs or elevator to see the ocean from below the surface. That area may be the least interesting to the casual tourist, for it is not populated with schools of fish as in an aquarium, but it is an outstanding research facility. In fact, one must come here to the Arizona desert to have an opportunity to conduct controlled experiments on coral reefs!
There is also a relatively new tour called “Under the Glass.” It includes actually entering one of the lungs to see and feel the huge diaphragm in operation. Then, guides take the group through a very narrow and low tunnel to the mechanical spaces to show how temperature and the atmosphere is maintained. All of that is probably fascinating to an engineer, but many tourists may want to avoid the air rushes and slippery floors.
The “Under the Glass” tour does traverse the various biomes on walks and stairs actually within the giant greenhouse. Those with interest in seeing the plants in more detail and watching researchers at work will enjoy it greatly.
Other Facilities
Before the site was Biosphere 2, it served as a corporate retreat and conference center. As a result, there is a hotel on the property which can be used by the public. Likewise, the Canada del Oro Restaurant serves good meals, although service can be slow at times. There is also a snack bar situated along the tour route.
Columbia added a 12 inch observatory on the campus, and that facility is used for special astronomy programs.
Biosphere 2 has 3 gift shops which sell ecology.
Getting Around
Once you park your car, moving around is a pedestrian exercise. There are some steep grades, and some surfaces are uneven. Even blacktopped areas can be a problem in Summer since the heat of the Sun tends to soften the surface.
Since there is extensive walking, the heat of summer can be a problem. The best times to visit are October through April. Of course, that is also the time when crowds are there.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Dec - Feb
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Epinions.com ID:
fhkerr
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Location: AZ, USA
Reviews written: 80
Trusted by: 6 members
About Me:
I am retired. Interests: travel, gourmet food, wine, books and film.
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