ScienceJune 30, 2026

geobiology

/ˌdʒiːoʊbaɪˈɒlədʒi/

Definition

The scientific study of the interactions between the physical Earth and the living organisms that inhabit it.

Etymology

The word is a combination of the Greek 'geo' (Earth) and 'bios' (life), plus the suffix '-logy' (study of). It emerged in the 20th century to describe the increasingly important intersection of biological and geological sciences.

In the news

In the article, the term describes the field of expertise held by Woody Fischer, who is investigating how carbon is stored and cycled within desert ecosystems. It highlights the interdisciplinary nature of studying environmental processes across biology and geology.

New Cohort of KISS Study Programs Push the Frontiers of Space Exploration

Read the full article ↗

Caltech

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