Balance-of-Nature Paradigm

Balance-of-nature is a metaphor that invokes the ideal of a universe of interrelated components that operate in harmony undisturbed by external interventions. The concept of a balance in nature is part of many cosmologies around the world. In Chinese philosophy, this ideal is symbolized by the yin (earth/female) and the yang (heaven/male). The Greeks had several deities with the power to generate and order the universe. As a common thread through these beliefs, all things were believed to be interconnected to preserve order, predictably, and resilience in nature.

The concept of the balance of nature was an implicit assumption in ecology for centuries and has influenced both its theory and practice. The principle of a balance of nature is also evident in the early conservation movement. In 1864, George Perkins Marsh wrote in Man and Nature that nature should be undisturbed by people so that the landscape can become almost unchanging and permanent in form. The paradigm, known as classical equilibrium, is seen in many concepts central to ecology such as bio – geography, population dynamics, carrying capacity, stability, and homeostasis. Thus, a significant feature of classical equilibrium ecology is based on the assumption that all ecosystems follow a linear path toward an end state. If left alone, undisturbed by humans, all ecosystems were potentially self-regulating, and could reach a stable “climax” state.