Balance of Nature

BALANCE OF NATURE

by Anton Antonio

March 23, 2015

“Balance of Nature is a theory that proposes that ecological systems are usually in a state of homeostasis (meaning: the tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements especially as maintained by physiological processes).  This simply means that a small change in some particular parameter 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.”  (Antonio, 2015. “Old Earth”. http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2015/04/old-earth.html)

Life on Mother Earth depends on the balance of nature.  “It depends on the delicate balance between the centripetal force of the sun on earth and the centrifugal force of earth as it revolves around the sun.  It also depends on the continuous supply of radiant energy from the sun.  Too much or too little energy will cause catastrophic consequences to life on earth.

This delicate balance has been nurtured by the pre-historic animals that inhabited the planet long, long, long ago before us.  The beginning of human civilization did not alter the way planet was --- humans and animal predators both hunted for food and lives in caves.

As human toolmaking ability improved human beings with their intelligence have been able to invent better tools for hunting.  Primitive tools like ax and spears greatly improved their hunt.  With the discovery of fire, a New World of comfort started to emerge.

Domestication of plants followed.  This was the start of human modification of the environment.  Men cleared the forest to plant crops for food.  Clearings continued in search of better cultivation.  Forest gave way to sedentary agriculture and this was the beginning of forest destruction.

Animals were also domesticated.  To make this possible, the natural environment had to be modified once more to give way to grazing areas.  Because of low population density at that time, the environment was still able to recover.  Balance of nature was maintained.

As population increased, more and more pressure was placed on the environment.  The need was felt for more houses, stronger materials for protection against enemies, irrigation canals for agriculture and large grazing areas for animals.  Despite this, no serious damage was made on the environment’s capacity to regenerate.  It could then be said that for a long time, humans lived in harmony with nature.

It was only during the end of the agricultural revolution and the advancing industrial revolution that the impact of humans on the environment was significantly felt.  There were two sides --- the positive and the negative effects.”  (Florece, Espaldon, Cuevas, Sierra & Medina, 1999)

The operative character of the balance of nature is “equilibrium among interdependent elements in the environment”.  “Charles Robert Darwin once said: ‘Nothing exists for itself alone, but only in relation to other forms of life.’” (Antonio, 2014)  This is what it is all about; balance of nature.

Just my little thoughts…

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REFERENCES:

Antonio, A. C., (2014). “The Benefits We Derive from the Forest”.  Retrieved on March 23, 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/search?q=charles+darwin

Antonio, A. C., (2015).  “Old Earth”. Retrieved on March 23, 2015 from http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2015/04/old-earth.html

Florece, L. M., Espaldon, M. V. O., Cuevas, V. C., Sierra, Z. B. & Medina, C. P. (1999). “Principles of Ecology”. University of the Philippines Open University, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines