| BIOSPHERE | The _________ is a relatively thin life-supporting stratum of Earth's surface, composed of living organisms and the abiotic factors from which they derive energy and nutrients (9) |
| SPROCKET | A relatively thin wheel with teeth that project radially from the rim, especially one that drives a chain (8) |
| SUBSOIL | A stratum of earth |
| STANDARD | Lifestyle, ... of living or average |
| VIABLE | Capable of living or working properly (6) |
| SMALLER | The ___ horseshoe bat is a relatively diminutive member of the family Rhinolophidae (7) |
| LEDGE | What is a relatively narrow, horizontal projecting part (5) |
| AUNTSALLY | She is a relatively fair target? |
| MAP | From the Latin meaning "sheet of the world", any one of the many diagrammatic representations of Earth's surface created in the art or science of cartography (3) |
| BED | A geological layer or stratum of sedimentary rock; bottom of a river or sea; or, a plot for roses (3) |
| WATER | Covering 71 per cent of Earth's surface, life-supporting substance with the chemical formula H2O (5) |
| SPHERE | A globe; a literary word for the night sky perceived as a vaulted roof; or, a class or stratum of society (6) |
| SEAM | A stratum of coal, gold or other ore; or, a line where two fabric pieces are joined by a row of stitches (4) |
| OXYGEN | What is the life-supporting component of the air? (6) |
| UPPERCRUST | The aristocracy or a higher stratum of people in a society (5,5) |
| MOTH | "The ___" is a popular Public Radio Exchange program dedicated to the art of storytelling (or winged one drawn to a flame) |
| ALAMO | The ___ is a mission in Texas which was the site of a siege in 1836 (5) |
| NORTH | In one direction heliopsis is the ___ American oxeye, and Narcissus 'Queen of the ___' is a smallcupped daffodil! (5) |
| OCEAN | Any one of a number of expanses forming 70 per cent of Earth's surface (5) |
| REALM | General word for any one of the biogeographical divisions or ecozones of Earth's surface (5) |
