The biosphere theory of V. I. Vernadsky and the Gaia theory of James Lovelock: a comparative analysis of the two theories and traditions.
James Hutton (1726-1797) regarded Earth as a super-organism and physiology the science to study it. A strong line of evidence for an intimate relationship of biological and abiotic processes on Earth leads from Hutton to the Gaia theory of J. Lovelock. A less known in the West but important approach to the biosphere as a self-regulating system (the biosphere theory) was proposed V.I. Vernadsky (1863-1945). The main concern of this paper revolves around the question: What is the difference between Gaia and the biosphere? To approach the problem of Earth as a super-organism one can use also the biosphere theory of V. N. Beklemishev (1890-1962), who examined the biosphere from a morphological viewpoint.
Levit
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Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Germany. george.levit@africa.geomic.uni-oldenburg.de
Krumbein
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D000818:Animals; D001272:Atmosphere; D018534:Earth, Planet; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D005844:Geology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D019369:Life