Gaia
It is possible to extend this hypothesis and think over a living planet in scientific way

The Gaia Hypothesis proposes that Earth operates as a self-regulating, living system through interconnected biochemical, geophysical, and ecological processes. This section synthesizes findings from diverse studies to explore planetary-scale feedback mechanisms, autopoietic characteristics, and biosphere-geosphere coevolution. ...

These processes, though often measured chemically or biochemically, align with broader theories of systemic coherence and self-organization. The implications for Earth’s dynamic homeostasis and its conceptualization as a living entity are discussed.

The Gaia Hypothesis, initially proposed by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis, posits that Earth’s biological and physical components form a complex system that maintains conditions conducive to life. Beyond its metaphorical interpretation, evidence from planetary feedback loops, microbial ecology, and atmospheric dynamics supports the idea of a living planet. This section examines these phenomena, emphasizing their implications for understanding Earth’s systemic coherence and evolutionary trajectory.

Key Findings:

• Planetary Feedback Mechanisms:

  • Climate Regulation: Observational studies provide evidence for feedback control of atmospheric temperature through proportional-integral-derivative (PID) mechanisms, a hallmark of engineered systems. For example, Leggett and Ball (2020) demonstrate statistically significant regulation of global surface temperatures, suggesting active stabilization processes.

  • Carbon Cycle and Oceanic Processes: The biosphere’s role in carbon sequestration, through forest dynamics and phytoplankton activity, exemplifies Earth’s self-regulatory behavior. Oceanic alkalinity feedback loops mitigate fluctuations in atmospheric CO2, maintaining chemical equilibrium.

• Microbial and Biochemical Networks:

  • Microbial activity is central to planetary processes, mediating nitrogen fixation, sulfur cycling, and methane oxidation. Jelen et al. (2016) emphasize the coevolution of microbial metabolisms with Earth’s geosphere, illustrating the biosphere’s capacity to drive geological changes.

  • The microbial “microbiome” of Earth functions similarly to those of individual organisms, contributing to resilience and adaptability (Stolz, 2017).

• Autopoiesis and Self-Organization:

  • Earth’s atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere interact as a semi-permeable boundary enclosing a metabolic network. Rubin and Crucifix (2021) argue that this configuration qualifies Earth as an autopoietic system, characterized by self-production and closure to efficient causation.

  • This self-referential system minimizes free energy through active inference, akin to biological systems’ homeostatic processes.

• Dynamic Interactions and Resilience:

  • The interplay between Earth’s physical and biological components supports resilience in the face of perturbations. For example, the “Gaia-like” dampening effects on the El Niño-typhoon relationship demonstrate how feedback mechanisms mitigate extreme climatic events (Zheng et al., 2015).

Mechanistic and Theoretical Insights:

• Earth as a Holobiont:

  • Conceptualizing Earth as a holobiont—a multi-species system—provides a framework for understanding the integration of living and non-living components. Castell et al. (2019) highlight the emergent properties arising from these interactions, including systemic intelligence and adaptability.

• Metasystem Hierarchies:

  • Benavides-Mendoza (2018) describes Earth as a metasystem encompassing nested subsystems that operate across temporal and spatial scales. This hierarchy facilitates information flow and coherence, reminiscent of neural networks in living organisms.

Implications for Understanding Earth’s Dynamics:

• Coherence and Consciousness:

  • The alignment of planetary-scale oscillations with biological rhythms suggests a coherent “heartbeat” that integrates life and environment. Schumann resonances and geomagnetic fluctuations interact with neural and cardiac oscillations in living beings, emphasizing Earth’s role as an organizing field.

• Sustainability and Ethics:

  • Viewing Earth as a living system reframes sustainability as a moral imperative. Rowe (2003) argues for prioritizing ecological integrity over anthropocentric goals, fostering a symbiotic relationship with the planet.

Conclusion:
The Gaia Hypothesis provides a compelling framework for understanding Earth’s systemic coherence, resilience, and self-regulation. By examining feedback mechanisms, microbial networks, and autopoietic characteristics, this review underscores the scientific validity of conceptualizing Earth as a living entity. Further interdisciplinary research is essential to deepen our understanding of planetary processes and their implications for global sustainability.

Keywords: Gaia Hypothesis, planetary feedback, autopoiesis, microbial ecology, holobiont, Earth systems, resilience.

Very related sections:

Earth Fields - Gaia
Gaia