Abstract
We address in this chapter the problem of how the transition from a physicochemical to a life-constrained world occurred. We assume an organizational view of ecological systems, according to which this transition can be conceptualized in terms of the passage from a closure of processes to a closure of constraints in the ecological realm. This perspective offers a consistent interpretation of the transition from an abiotic ecological system to a “life-constrained” ecological system. We develop this idea by applying it to the studies on the relationship between algae, clouds and the climate. Finally, we hold that different and independent approaches, including the organizational ones, propose the same general idea, although with different emphases or domains of application, namely, that life influences physicochemical conditions in a way that ultimately contributes to its self-maintenance.
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Notes
- 1.
In living systems, self-constraint involves self-determination in the sense of self-maintenance but not self-generation, as these systems do not generate themselves spontaneously as wholes, at least in the current conditions on Earth. In the remainder of the chapter, we will thus refer to “self-maintenance.”
- 2.
This is different from a frequent view that geophysical and geochemical structures, processes and conditions we find on Earth are merely a result of astronomic or geological events, still widespread in school science and found in academic science too. The view we highlight here treats such geophysical and geochemical structures, processes and conditions as (partially) effects of the functionality of biological organisms, gathered in populations and ecological communities. This does not mean, of course, that non-living factors do not have any influence in the building of the geophysical and geochemical structures, processes and conditions. To deny this would be simply mistaken. But many geochemical and geophysical elements we know so well – such as soils, biogenic clouds, etc. – are found – as far as we know – only on Earth, not on abiotic planets like Mars and Venus. In interaction with astronomical and geological forces, organisms have dramatically contributed, along history, to build these structures, processes and conditions, and ultimately the latter have contributed to the existence of organisms.
- 3.
Notice that we are not assuming an interpretation of the Gaia theory as claiming that the biosphere would be an organism, despite what is claimed by Lovelock himself. In previous works, we have argued for an interpretation that just considers this theory as concerning a coupling between the biota and the physicochemical environment on Earth. This is not an interpretation found only in our work (see references cited in the body of the text).
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank to the reviewers for all the commentaries and criticisms made, which contributed to the improvement of this chapter. CEH thanks CNPq (grant n. 465767/2014-1) and CAPES (grant n. 23038.000776/2017-54) for the support to INCT IN-TREE, and CNPq for productivity in research grant (grant n. 303011/2017-3). NNN also thanks for the support to INCT IN-TREE project.
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El-Hani, C.N., Nunes-Neto, N. (2020). Life on Earth Is Not a Passenger, but a Driver: Explaining the Transition from a Physicochemical to a Life-Constrained World from an Organizational Perspective. In: Baravalle, L., Zaterka, L. (eds) Life and Evolution. History, Philosophy and Theory of the Life Sciences, vol 26. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39589-6_5
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