There is always a dynamic balance in nature, be it homeostasis in local ecosystem to the grand scale of global homeostasis. Human is interfering with the working of nature and tending to destabilizing the feedback systems. Still it can maintain the balance and resistance and resilience stability within limits. By to what extent? We have now some estimates of certain tipping points. Does it tell the whole story? Does it take into account all the aspects of nature's structural integrity and functional diversity and stability?
Ecological systems have a living component integrated in abiotic environment. This living component is represented by anti-entropic biological systems. The balance in nature means the balance between entropic external factors (anthropogenic factors -pollution, over-exploitation -, natural factors - volcanoes, rocky walls collapse,etc - which try to disrupt the system and leads to disorganization) and biological anti- entropic factors structuring the system components and maintain functional the ecological system.
Iuliana
Hi Jayanta
My understanding is that the "balance in nature" is more a philosophical notion than an ecological one. It somehow implies the view of nature as a beneficent force.
As Wu and Loucks state it already in 1995: "The phrase usually implies that undisturbed nature is ordered and harmonious, and that ecological systems return to a previous equilibrium after disturbances". I suggest that you read their paper for a more dynamical view.
Your question also reminds me of course of the "Gaia Hypothesis" of James Lovelock. There are lots of references on it (I only suggest one below).
I also suggest that you have a look at this New Scientist issue:
https://www.newscientist.com/round-up/gaia/
in which it is written: "The first major review of the evidence finds insufficient backing for the appealing Gaia hypothesis, but we should still celebrate its impact on research"
Hope this helps
Luis
Reference:
Jianguo Wu , and Orie L. Loucks , "From Balance of Nature to Hierarchical Patch Dynamics: A Paradigm Shift in Ecology," The Quarterly Review of Biology 70, no. 4 (Dec., 1995): 439-466.
Lovelock, J.E., and Margulis, L. 1974. Atmospheric homeostasis by and for the biosphere - The Gaia hypothesis. Tellus 26(1): 2–10.
Any motion in Nature is associated with an "intelligence" which resides either within the system or controlling it from outside. The intelligence, " programs" the motion and keeps the balance of the system for its "continued existence". This is the law that controls the balance of any system in Nature.
Within the atom, the same intelligence keeps the +ve and - ve charge in electrical balance so that the system (atom) is in equilibrium for the continued existence of the atom/ material world.
Within a cell, the same intelligence keeps the chemical balance through electrical control
In external Nature, the same intelligence tries to keep the interaction of living organisms with non-living elements of Nature under the balance
If human intelligence meddles too heavily to break the balance of Nature, the Nature-Intelligence will reset the balance like "factory resetting " with a clearance button like epidemics.
The balnce in Nature is programmed for the continued existence of the cosmic system.
To add, there is only ONE INTELLIGENCE in the cosmos; be it artificial intelligence, digital intelligence or biological intelligence!
Sir,
the state of equilibrium between living organisms like human beings, plants, and animals and also their environment. The balance of nature can also be considered as ecological balance.
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