Balance of nature

"Balance of Nature" redirects here. For the film, see The Balance of Nature.

The balance of nature, also known as ecological balance, is a theory that proposes that ecological systems are usually in a stable equilibrium or homeostasis, which is to say that a small change (the size of a particular population, for example) will be corrected by some negative feedback that will bring the parameter back to its original "point of balance" with the rest of the system. The balance is sometimes depicted as easily disturbed and delicate, while other times it is inversely portrayed as powerful enough to correct any imbalances by itself.<ref name=":2">Root, Tik (2019-07-26). "The 'balance of nature' is an enduring concept. But it's wrong". National Geographic. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved 2020-03-15.</ref> The concept has been described as "normative", as well as teleological, as it makes a claim about how nature should be: nature is balanced because "it is supposed to be balanced".<ref name=":3" /> The theory has been employed to describe how populations depend on each other, for example in predator-prey systems, or relationships between herbivores and their food source.<ref>Van Valen, Leigh (1973). "Pattern and the Balance of Nature" (PDF). Evolutionary Theory. 1: 31–44.</ref> It is also sometimes applied to the relationship between the Earth's ecosystem, the composition of the atmosphere, and weather.<ref>Kureethadam, Joshtrom (2014). "Impacts of Climate Change". Creation in Crisis: Science, Ethics, Theology. New York: Orbis Books. ISBN 978-1-60833-520-6.</ref>

The balance of nature, as a theory, has been largely discredited by scientists working in ecology, as it has been found that constant disturbances leading to chaotic and dynamic changes are the norm in nature.<ref name=":0" /> During the later half of the 20th century, it was superseded by catastrophe theory, chaos theory, and thermodynamics.<ref>Wu, Jianguo; Loucks, Orie L. (1995). "From Balance of Nature to Hierarchical Patch Dynamics: A Paradigm Shift in Ecology". The Quarterly Review of Biology. 70 (4): 439–466. doi:10.1086/419172. ISSN 0033-5770. JSTOR 3035824. S2CID 44197757.</ref> Nevertheless, the idea maintains popularity amongst the general public.<ref name="Zim">Zimmerman, Corinne (October 2007). "Ambiguous, circular and polysemous: students' definitions of the "balance of nature" metaphor". Public Understanding of Science. 16 (4): 393–406. doi:10.1177/0963662505063022. S2CID 31030799.</ref><ref name="Kricher2009">Kricher, John (2009). The Balance of Nature: Ecology's Enduring Myth. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691138985.</ref>

History of the theory

Herodotus asserted that predators never excessively consume prey populations and described this balance as "wonderful"

The concept that nature maintains its condition is of ancient provenance; Herodotus asserted that predators never excessively consume prey populations and described this balance as "wonderful".<ref name=":1" /> Two of Plato's dialogues, the Timaeus and Protagoras myths, support the balance of nature concept. Cicero advanced the theory of "a balance of nature generated by different reproductive rates and traits among species, as well as interactions among species".<ref name=":0" />

The balance of nature concept once ruled ecological research and governed the management of natural resources. This led to a doctrine popular among some conservationists that nature was best left to its own devices, and that human intervention into it was by definition unacceptable.<ref name="NY">Stevens, William K. (31 July 1990). "New Eye on Nature: The Real Constant Is Eternal Turmoil". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 June 2011.</ref>

The theory was used as a central theme in the 1962 book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson;<ref name=":3" /> the book is widely-considered to be the most important environmental book of the 20th century.<ref>Atwood, Margaret (2012-12-07). "Margaret Atwood: Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, 50 years on". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-02-07.</ref> The controversial Gaia hypothesis was developed in the 1970s by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis;<ref>Ball, Philip (2014-04-09). ""Gaia Hypothesis" Originator James Lovelock Reflects on His Career". Scientific American. Archived from the original on 2014-04-12. Retrieved 2021-02-07.</ref> it asserts that living beings interact with Earth to form a complex system which self-regulates to maintain the balance of nature.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Briske, David D.; Illius, Andrew W.; Anderies, J. Marty (2017), Briske, David D. (ed.), "Nonequilibrium Ecology and Resilience Theory", Rangeland Systems: Processes, Management and Challenges, Springer Series on Environmental Management, Springer International Publishing, pp. 197–227, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46709-2_6, ISBN 978-3-319-46709-2</ref>

The validity of a balance of nature was already questioned in the early 1900s, but the general abandonment of the theory by scientists working in ecology only happened in the last quarter of that century, when studies showed that it did not match what could be observed among plant and animal populations.<ref name="Kricher2009" /><ref>Heneghan, Liam (9 October 2012). "Out of Kilter: Old ideas of balance and harmony need to be put aside if we are to save a natural world in constant flux". Aeon. Retrieved 16 January 2018.</ref>

Predator-prey interactions

Predator-prey populations tend to show chaotic behavior within limits, where the sizes of populations change in a way that may appear random but is, in fact, obeying deterministic laws based only on the relationship between a population and its food source illustrated by the Lotka–Volterra equation. An experimental example of this was shown in an eight-year study on small Baltic Sea creatures such as plankton, which were isolated from the rest of the ocean. Each member of the food web was shown to take turns multiplying and declining, even though the scientists kept the outside conditions constant. An article in the journal Nature stated: "Advanced mathematical techniques proved the indisputable presence of chaos in this food web ... short-term prediction is possible, but long-term prediction is not."<ref>The Ottawa Citizen (13 February 2008). "Study of ocean life shows a "chaotic" balance of nature". CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc. Archived from the original on 24 June 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2011.</ref>

Human intervention

Although some conservationist organizations argue that human activity is incompatible with a balanced ecosystem, there are numerous examples in history showing that several modern-day habitats originate from human activity: some of Latin America's rain forests owe their existence to humans planting and transplanting them, while the abundance of grazing animals in the Serengeti plain of Africa is thought by some ecologists to be partly due to human-set fires that created savanna habitats.<ref name="NY" />

One of the best-known and often misunderstood examples of ecosystem balance being enhanced by human activity is the Australian Aboriginal practice of fire-stick farming. This uses low-intensity fire when there is sufficient humidity to limit its action, to reduce the quantity of ground-level combustible material, to lessen the intensity and devastation of forest fires caused by lightning at the end of the dry season. Several plant species are adapted to fire, some even requiring its extreme heat to germinate their seeds.<ref>Bliege Bird, R.; Bird, D. W.; Codding, B. F.; Parker, C. H.; Jones, J. H. (2008-09-30). "The "fire stick farming" hypothesis: Australian Aboriginal foraging strategies, biodiversity, and anthropogenic fire mosaics". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 105 (39): 14796–14801. Bibcode:2008PNAS..10514796B. doi:10.1073/pnas.0804757105. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 2567447. PMID 18809925.</ref>

Continued popularity of the theory

German biologist Klaus Rohde with his book The Balance of Nature and Human Impact.

Despite being discredited among ecologists, the theory is widely held to be true by the general public, conservationists and environmentalists,<ref name=":0">Simberloff, Daniel (2014-10-07). "The "Balance of Nature"—Evolution of a Panchreston". PLOS Biology. 12 (10): e1001963. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001963. ISSN 1545-7885. PMC 4188511. PMID 25290954.</ref> with one author calling it an "enduring myth".<ref name=Kricher2009/> Environmental and conservation organizations such as the WWF, Sierra Club and Canadian Wildlife Federation continue to promote the theory,<ref>"Ecological Balance". World Wide Fund for Nature. Archived from the original on 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2020-03-21. The most important point being that the natural balance in an ecosystem is maintained.</ref><ref>McVey, Vicki (1993). The Sierra Club Kid's Guide to Planet Care & Repair. Sierra Club Books for Children. p. 8. ISBN 978-0871565679. Summary: Explains how human activities are destroying the balance of nature and suggests ways to prevent further damage.</ref><ref>"Restore Balance to Your Backyard Habitat". Canadian Wildlife Federation. Archived from the original on 2017-09-21. Retrieved 2020-03-21. When we disrupt habitat and the natural balance of an ecosystem, the inevitable result is a clash between humans and wildlife.</ref> as do animal rights organizations such as PETA.<ref>"Hunting". PETA. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2020-03-21. If left unaltered by humans, the delicate balance of nature's ecosystems ensures the survival of most species. Natural predators help maintain this balance by killing only the sickest and weakest individuals.</ref>

Kim Cuddington considers the balance of nature to be a "foundational metaphor in ecology", which is still in active use by ecologists.<ref>Cuddington, Kim (September 2001). "The "Balance of Nature" Metaphor and Equilibrium in Population Ecology" (PDF). Biology & Philosophy. 16 (4): 463–479. doi:10.1023/A:1011910014900. ISSN 0169-3867. S2CID 32643520.</ref> She argues that many ecologists see nature as a "beneficent force" and that they also view the universe as being innately predictable; Cuddington asserts that the balance of nature acts as a "shorthand for the paradigm expressing this worldview".<ref>Cuddington, Kim. "The "Balance of Nature" metaphor in population ecology: theory or paradigm?" (PDF). Philosophy of Science Association. Retrieved 2020-08-15.</ref> Douglas Allchin and Alexander J. Werth assert that although "ecologists formally eschew the concept of balance of nature, it remains a widely adopted preconception and a feature of language that seems not to disappear entirely."<ref name=":3">Werth, A.; Allchin, D. (2020-03-05). "Teleology's long shadow". Evolution: Education and Outreach. 13 (1): 4. doi:10.1186/s12052-020-00118-8. ISSN 1936-6434. S2CID 212406493.</ref>

At least in Midwestern America, the balance of nature idea was shown to be widely held by both science majors and the general student population.<ref name="Zim" /> In a study at the University of Patras, educational sciences students were asked to reason about the future of ecosystems which suffered human-driven disturbances. Subjects agreed that it was very likely for the ecosystems to fully recover their initial state, referring to either a 'recovery process' which restores the initial 'balance', or specific 'recovery mechanisms' as an ecosystem's inherent characteristic.<ref>Ergazaki, Marida; Ampatzidis, Georgios (2012-06-01). "Students' Reasoning about the Future of Disturbed or Protected Ecosystems & the Idea of the 'Balance of Nature'". Research in Science Education. 42 (3): 511–530. Bibcode:2012RScEd..42..511E. doi:10.1007/s11165-011-9208-7. ISSN 0157-244X. S2CID 145324798.</ref> In a 2017 study, Ampatzidis and Ergazaki discuss the learning objectives and design criteria that a learning environment for non-biology major students should meet to support them challenge the balance of nature concept.<ref>Ampatzidis, Georgios; Ergazaki, Marida (2017-10-01). "Toward an "Anti-Balance of Nature" Learning Environment for Non-Biology Major Students: Learning Objectives and Design Criteria". Natural Sciences Education. 46 (1): 170016. doi:10.4195/nse2017.07.0016. ISSN 1059-9053.</ref> In a 2018 study, the same authors report on the theoretical output of a design research study, which concerns the design of a learning environment for helping students challenge their beliefs regarding the balance of nature and reach an up-to-date understanding about ecosystems' contingency.<ref>Ampatzidis, Georgios; Ergazaki, Marida (2018-12-01). "Challenging Students' Belief in the 'Balance of Nature' Idea". Science & Education. 27 (9): 895–919. doi:10.1007/s11191-018-0017-5. ISSN 1573-1901. S2CID 149911794.</ref>

In popular culture

In Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea fantasy series, using magic means to "respect and preserve the immanent metaphysical balance of nature."<ref>Manlove, C. N. (1983), Manlove, C. N. (ed.), "Conservatism in Fantasy: Ursula le Guin", The Impulse of Fantasy Literature, London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, pp. 31–44, doi:10.1007/978-1-349-06383-3_3, ISBN 978-1-349-06383-3, retrieved 2021-02-07</ref>

The balance of nature (referred to as "the circle of life") is a major theme of the 1994 film, The Lion King. In one scene, the character Mufasa describes to his son Simba how everything exists in a state of delicate balance.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1">Jacobs, Tom (2018-08-25). "Belief in 'Balance of Nature' Hard to Shake". Pacific Standard. Retrieved 2020-03-20.</ref>

The character Agent Smith, in the 1999 film The Matrix, describes humanity as a virus, claiming that humans fail to reach an equilibrium with their surrounding environment; unlike other mammals.<ref>Lavery, David (2001-01-01). "FROM CINESPACE TO CYBER SPACE: Zionists and Agents, Realista and Gamers in The Matrix and eXistenz". Journal of Popular Film and Television. 28 (4): 150–157. doi:10.1080/01956050109602836. ISSN 0195-6051. S2CID 62605044.</ref>

The disruption of the balance of nature is a common theme in Hayao Miyazaki's films: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, released in 1984, is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans have upset the balance of nature through war;<ref>Çay, Merve (2021). "Tainted Away: Violence Over Nature in the Anime of Hayao Miyazaki". Handbook of Research on Aestheticization of Violence, Horror, and Power. doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-4655-0.ch014. ISSN 2475-6814. S2CID 228868560. Retrieved 2021-02-07.</ref> the 1997 film Princess Mononoke, depicts irresponsible activities by humans as having damaged the balance of nature;<ref>Abidin, Zainal (2018). The Loss of Biodiversity Reflected in Princess Mononoke Movie By Hayao Miyazaki (Bachelor's thesis). Universitas Brawijaya.</ref><ref>Cheng, Catherine Ju-yu (2019-06-01). "Nature and the Smiths in Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke". Tamkang Review. 49 (2). doi:10.6184/TKR.201906_49(2).0002.</ref> in the 2008 film Ponyo, the titular character disturbs the balance of nature when she seeks to become human.<ref>Rustin, Michael; Rustin, Margaret (2012-06-01). "Fantasy and reality in Miyazaki's animated world". Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society. 17 (2): 169–184. doi:10.1057/pcs.2012.21. ISSN 1543-3390. S2CID 144492409.</ref>

The titular character of the 2014 film Godzilla fights other sea monsters known as "MUTOs" in a bid to restore the balance of nature.<ref>Murray, Robin L.; Heumann, Joseph K. (2016). Monstrous Nature: Environment and Horror on the Big Screen. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press. pp. xii. ISBN 978-0803294929.</ref>

In the 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War, the villain Thanos seeks to restore the balance of nature by eliminating half of the beings in the universe.<ref>Newell, Phil (2018-07-09). "Thanos Revives Centuries-Old Debate About Overpopulation". Nexus Media News. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2021-02-07.</ref>

See also

• Ecological footprint
• Social metabolism