Vernadsky's great insight was to identify the zones of the total Earth system whose physical characteristics are under the influence of the biota (ie.
(Vernadsky's great insight; was; to identify the zones of the total Earth system) (the total Earth system; are; under the influence of the biota)
Vernadsky's great insight the total Earth system
was are
to identify the zones of the total Earth system
under the influence of the biota