Biosphere 2

Biosphere 2 Official page of the University of Arizona Biosphere 2
(2161)

The Biosphere 2 page supports the facility's mission, which is:

To serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe.

-Catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future;
-Be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and the public;
-Disti

ll issues related to Earth systems planning and management for use by policymakers, students and the public. Find us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biosphere2/

Find us on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/b2science

Frankincense a member of the Burseracea family is a drought tolerant plant that can be found in the supper savanna of Bi...
09/05/2026

Frankincense a member of the Burseracea family is a drought tolerant plant that can be found in the supper savanna of Biosphere 2. Frankincense is native to parts of Africa, India, and the Arabian Peninsula. These trees prefer well draining soil and full sun. Frankincense can be used to ease pain relief, respiratory issues and for aromatherapy.

Take a little break and soak in the beautiful view of the Biosphere 2 Rainforest. It’s more than just beautiful it helps...
09/03/2026

Take a little break and soak in the beautiful view of the Biosphere 2 Rainforest. It’s more than just beautiful it helps us unlock the secrets of rainforests around the world. Here, we’re learning how rising temperature fluctuations affect the rainforest canopy, and how soil microbes play a vital role in shaping it.

Come explore the rainforest, ocean, desert, savanna, and more while discovering how scientists study Earth’s complex sys...
09/02/2026

Come explore the rainforest, ocean, desert, savanna, and more while discovering how scientists study Earth’s complex systems. To learn more about Biosphere 2 you have the chance to purchase tickets for the Lung Tour, History Library Tour, and Birding Nature Tour. Through these three behind the scenes tours, the Lung Tour gives you the chance to learn about the mechanics of how Biosphere 2 works, the History Library Tour offers insight into what it was like living inside Biosphere 2, and the Birding Nature Walk gives you a look at the land and creatures that live near Biosphere 2.

09/01/2026

We’re not that bad are we?!

The sandbox tree can be found in the rainforest biome of Biosphere 2. It is native to North and South America. The sandb...
08/31/2026

The sandbox tree can be found in the rainforest biome of Biosphere 2. It is native to North and South America. The sandbox tree has a few common names it is know by names like possum wood, dynamite tree and monkey no-climb. The sandbox tree is an evergreen tree in the Euphorbiaceae family. The sap of these trees can cause skin rashes so when admiring be careful to not get the sap on your skin or eyes. The sandbox tree are some of the largest trees in tropical America.

The crown of thorns is a spiny shrub native shrub native to Madagascar know for its vibrant flowers and thorny stems. It...
08/27/2026

The crown of thorns is a spiny shrub native shrub native to Madagascar know for its vibrant flowers and thorny stems. It thrives in dry sunny environments. Despite its beauty it’s important to handle with care the sap of the crown of thorns can be toxic and thorns very sharp.

The LEO Bays help us unlock the secrets of our critical zones. These zones where soil, air, and water meet may not appea...
08/26/2026

The LEO Bays help us unlock the secrets of our critical zones. These zones where soil, air, and water meet may not appear dynamic, but they are constantly evolving. With the LEO Bays, we can study how water moves, how microbes grow, and how nutrients shift within these vital areas. Sensors placed at the bottom of each LEO Bay allow us to monitor these changes and fluctuations over time. Through this knowledge, we gain a deeper understanding of our Earth and can take meaningful steps to protect critical zones in the future.

08/25/2026

We often get asked if there is anything living in the Biosphere 2 Ocean and we do! We have urchins, nudibranchs, fish, and hermit crabs. All of these creatures are on the smaller side, so they can be easy to miss, but if they disappeared from our ocean we would definitely notice. We introduced the Nudibranch Berghia in June 2023. We decided to bring them into the Ocean Biome because this specific type primarily eat aiptasia which over time have become a problem in the Bioshere 2 Ocean. It is always a treat to see the Nudibranch in the Ocean.

The barrel cacti on the Biosphere 2 campus are starting to sport their fall colors. Barrel cacti can come in a variety o...
08/24/2026

The barrel cacti on the Biosphere 2 campus are starting to sport their fall colors. Barrel cacti can come in a variety of colors, ranging from yellows to reds. They typically reach two to four feet tall, but some species can grow up to ten feet! Barrel cacti prefer rocky and sandy soils and are usually found in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. They flower from late spring to early fall. During this time, many small animals and insects use the barrel cactus as a food source when it is flowering and fruiting.

Address

32540 S Biosphere Road
Oracle, AZ
85623

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15206214800

Website

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