Biosphere 2

Biosphere 2 Official page of the University of Arizona Biosphere 2
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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;
-Distill 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

The pink peacock flower is a striking beauty in the desert biome. While these vibrant shrubs are most commonly seen in r...
10/05/2026

The pink peacock flower is a striking beauty in the desert biome. While these vibrant shrubs are most commonly seen in red, they can bloom in a variety of colors including this stunning pink. Thriving in full sunlight, peacock flowers are an excellent way to add bold color to your garden. Even better, they attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees so by planting one, you’re not just enhancing your space, you’re also supporting local pollinators.

Our indigo plants have producing a crazy amount of seed pods and blooms. We’ve been collecting these seeds so we can gro...
10/02/2026

Our indigo plants have producing a crazy amount of seed pods and blooms. We’ve been collecting these seeds so we can grow even more indigenous indigo plants. Indigo, is the plant used to dye denim that classic blue color! The dye itself comes from the leaves of the plant. To create it, the harvested leaves are soaked in water and left to ferment. When the dyed fabric is lifted from the liquid and exposed to air, oxidation occurs this is what transforms the color into the deep blue we all recognize in denim. Oxidation is a crucial step in the dyeing process.

10/01/2026

While exploring the ocean biome in Biosphere 2, I found a long spined sea urchin! We have a few different marine creatures in the Biosphere 2 ocean, but sea urchins are usually the easiest to spot. These bottom dwelling marine invertebrates typically feed on smaller invertebrates and algae which is abundant in our ocean system. Sea urchins play an important role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem and contribute to the overall health of the reef.

The Red Elephant Tree is native to Baja California. This tree has the ability to develop a swollen trunk to help store w...
09/30/2026

The Red Elephant Tree is native to Baja California. This tree has the ability to develop a swollen trunk to help store water for when it may need it in those dry months. The Red Elephant Tree usually flowers during the summer months. You can find this tree in the Fog Desert Biome at Biosphere 2.

Welcome to the mangroves! In the mangrove biome we have marsh land and forested swamp area. The Mangrove biome is covere...
09/29/2026

Welcome to the mangroves! In the mangrove biome we have marsh land and forested swamp area. The Mangrove biome is covered 80% by mangrove trees the dominant trees are Bald Cypress, Pond Apple, Wax Myrtle, Carolina Willow, White Mangroves, Black Mangroves and Red Mangroves. This biome was first planted there were 542 mangroves and 15 fresh water trees.

The Paperbark thorn can be found in the Upper Savanna. The Paperbark thorn tree is benefits for landscapes for their abi...
09/25/2026

The Paperbark thorn can be found in the Upper Savanna. The Paperbark thorn tree is benefits for landscapes for their ability to bring nitrogen back to the soil. These trees are highly drought tolerant and prefers light. The Paperbark thorn has long white spines to protect themselves from browsing animals.

09/24/2026

We ❤️ monsoons!

Biosphere 2 can experience a dramatic combo of high temperatures and afternoon downpours. Here are some tips to prepare for any weather while visiting Biosphere 2.

Beat the Heat: Bring a hat and a water bottle (bonus points if it’s reusable). Seek out shade when visiting.

Beat the Rain: Monsoon storms typically roll in during the afternoon, so you can either plan your trip around the monsoon or pack a poncho.

Pro tip: We recommend always checking the weather before you head out for the day. Be prepared for sun, rain, or both!

The Air plant in the mangroves are thriving! These fascinating plants are unique because they don’t need soil to survive...
09/24/2026

The Air plant in the mangroves are thriving! These fascinating plants are unique because they don’t need soil to survive. They prefer bright areas. Air plants are able to absorb all the nutrients they need from water and the air through tiny hairs on their leaves called trichomes. They prefer temperatures between fifty to ninety degrees. Air plants are native to Tropical and subtropical areas. They normally grow in the branches of other trees and rocks without harming the host.

Spotted in the Rainforest biome was this Cocoa pod. This is one of the foundational ingredients needed to make chocolate...
09/23/2026

Spotted in the Rainforest biome was this Cocoa pod. This is one of the foundational ingredients needed to make chocolate! If you were to make one bar of chocolate you would need one or two of these pods to do so depending on the size of the cocoa pod. Unfortunately we aren’t planning on making any chocolate but we are testing the growth rate of these cocoa pod at different levels in our Rainforest Biome. We have three different levels in our rainforest biome and on each level the temperature is different. On the lowest level is the area where it is coolest and at the top of the mountain is where it is hottest. We are able to see how these trees are affected by the different temperature levels and how that may affect its fruit production or growth rate.

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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