1. Ecological Balance and
Ecosystem Dynamics
We should not rush, like the ill-fated augur, to proclaim the arrival of
new dark times, nor join the exaltation triggered by technoscientific novelty.
It is preferable to adopt a serene skepticism: to be skeptical, in its
etymological sense, implies being critical observers. A skeptic – an active and
reflective observer – will agree that, in ecological matters, there are three
fundamental principles: (1) nature changes as much as it persists; (2) nature
expresses diversity as much as harmony; and (3) the human perspective,
influenced by cultural factors, often distorts the understanding of the
conflict between natural processes (geological, ecological, and evolutionary)
and human interventions. Thus, we might deduce that nature is a thermodynamic
dynamism in which biological processes and aesthetic manifestations intertwine,
developing not thanks to, but in spite of, human intervention.
Therefore, if the reader agrees with these premises, we can explore how
human-driven alterations in the ecological structure act both as causes and
effects of disruptions in ecosystem dynamics, imposing energy and aesthetic
crises that characterize the Anthropocene era. Climate change is one of the
most serious manifestations of this period, as it demonstrates how human
activities are transforming the climate dynamics and endangering the planet’s
ecological balance.
However, even the term “climate change” is beginning to fall short;
strictly speaking, we are not facing a change, but rather multiple simultaneous
transformations, or, in certain aspects, we are not facing a lack of natural
changes. The Taoist concept of “wu wei” (non-intervention) suggests that true
harmony is achieved when we allow things to follow their natural course,
without imposing our will to change. This idea, developed by Lao-Tzu, would
later be reinterpreted in Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s work The Leopard, in
the words of Tancredi: “If we want everything to remain as it is, everything
must change.” This statement reflects a paradoxical view: superficial changes
that preserve the underlying reality intact, or, on the other hand, profound
changes that do not alter anything on the surface.
The same could be said regarding human impact on the planet: so many
transformations ultimately strip the world of authentic changes, or, in a
mirror-like law of the same, so much lack of real transformation prevents
things from continuing their course. One only needs to observe the fate of
cities at risk of becoming commercial mausoleums, where noise and gases serve
as the backdrop to a routine that threatens to freeze everything.
In contrast, natural ecosystems express a harmony and overflowing
fullness that, however, is sustained by a rigorous becoming: vital cycles in
constant interaction, such as symbiosis, parasitism, or mutualism; cryptic
species that, although phenotypically identical, are genetically distinct;
astonishing adaptive strategies like mimicry, cryptobiosis, or
transdifferentiation. These seemingly complex concepts describe a reality that
appears simple and harmonious, but in reality responds to vibrant and, at times,
dramatic changes that sustain the pristine and comforting becoming of nature.
When we exclaim serenely in some corner of the Western Andes of Ecuador or in
the Guadarrama mountain range, “What beauty!” we tend to overlook that this
beauty in the landscape is incredibly dynamic and forceful. Beneath it lies a
relentless exchange of energy, which makes nature an incredibly stable and
creative crucible.
2. Human Impact and the
Energy Crisis
The profound changes in biomes caused by the colonization of the
Americas, the industrial revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries, and their
acceleration in the 20th century due to population growth, industrialization,
and intensive fossil fuel use have triggered a geological, ecological, and
evolutionary transformation that affects all species on the planet. According
to Mora et al. (2011), there are approximately 8.7 million eukaryotic species
on Earth, many of which face unprecedented risks. In the 21st century, these
effects have critically intensified, with accelerated climate change, massive
biodiversity loss, widespread pollution, and profound disruptions to natural
cycles of water, carbon, and nitrogen. The 2019 IPBES Global Assessment Report
projects that up to one million species could become extinct in the coming
decades. The increasing reliance on technologies and high resource consumption
impacts every corner of the planet, from oceans to terrestrial ecosystems. This
century also presents an urgent need for sustainable solutions, such as
renewable energy use and circular economy practices, to mitigate human impact
and preserve environmental balance, thereby confronting the challenge of living
more harmoniously with the natural world.
These spiritual and ecological problems and challenges—including
specific phenomena such as eco-melancholy, a feeling of loss and sadness over
environmental degradation (James, 2011), and solastalgia, which describes
distress caused by environmental changes in one’s surroundings (Albrecht,
2005)—as well as energy crises, droughts, or floods, reflect thermodynamic
ruptures within the ecosystem. Awareness of our dependence and fragility in the
face of hydrological and energy cycles, for example, highlights our
vulnerability to natural forces and the illusion of technocentric control.
Ultimately, it can be said that all challenges faced by humanity, past
and present, are fundamentally energy challenges. The threads of history (and
ecological protohistory) began to stir as soon as humans required energy
sources to build the foundations of culture. It is reasonable to define humans
as thermodynamically dissatisfied organisms, driven by insatiable hunger,
relentless cold, and a violent need for protection.
It is through the manipulation of energy sources that species construct
and modify their environment. In ecosystems, energy manifests in two forms:
endosomatic, which corresponds to the internal energy sustaining the life and
metabolism of organisms, and exosomatic, referring to the energy flowing and
transforming in the external environment, resulting from interactions between
living beings and their surroundings. This distinction is crucial, as
endosomatic energy is limited to each organism’s vital functions, while
exosomatic energy can expand and diversify according to the capacities and
needs of each species. For humans, this exosomatic energy includes both natural
and artificially produced sources, enabling humans to extend their influence
over the environment to potentially limitless extents. In nature, these energy
sources maintain a dynamic balance, allowing ecosystems to persist and evolve
over geological and ecological timescales by channeling energy flows through
complex interactions between organisms and their environments.
An illustrative example of this dynamic is the construction of dams.
Some animals, such as beavers, alter watercourses by building dams with logs
and mud, slowing the flow and creating ponds that promote aquatic biodiversity.
Elephants dig wells in dry riverbeds to access groundwater, benefiting other
species during droughts, while muskrats and mangrove crabs perform similar
activities in wetlands, improving soil flow and oxygenation. These natural
interventions, unlike human ones, consider the ecology and evolution of entire
biological communities, integrating into the ecosystem's functioning and
promoting its stability.
In contrast, human hydroelectric dams, such as the Three Gorges Dam in
China, the Hoover Dam in the United States, and the Itaipú Dam between Brazil
and Paraguay, are constructed for the exclusive benefit of a human minority.
These structures disrupt river ecosystems by altering natural water flows,
affecting fish migration, downstream temperatures, and sedimentation, and
reducing biodiversity. Such massive projects cause widespread flooding, habitat
destruction, and degradation of delta ecosystems, leading to species loss and
disrupting natural water cycles with significant ecological and local community
impacts.
A human dam, in thermodynamic terms, is an "eco-evolutionary
monster" because it interrupts the cyclical, stable processes of natural
cycles in favor of accumulating potential to produce electrical energy. This
level of "thermodynamic monstrosity" increases further when these
dams become inoperative due to reduced river flow from declining precipitation
or changes in temperature and humidity—consequences of climate change.
3. The Relationship Between
Aesthetics, Ethics, and Sustainability
The disruptions caused by certain exosomatic energy-producing structures
not only upset the energy balance but also create an aesthetic impact that
distorts the essence of natural landscapes. This aesthetic deterioration
becomes a sign of the loss of ecological functionality, revealing the profound
connection between natural beauty and biological equilibrium. Furthermore,
aesthetic impoverishment reflects the socio-economic degradation of human
communities, as the aesthetic experience offered by a healthy, balanced
environment contributes to the well-being and cultural identity of its
inhabitants. Moreover, the aesthetic degradation of ecosystems is both a cause
and a consequence of poverty. The loss of this harmony in the natural landscape
is not merely a matter of perception but an indicator of disruptions in
ecological and social relationships, emphasizing the importance of integrating
the preservation of beauty as part of ecological and social ethics.
This set of ideas is fully aligned with the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). A balanced ecosystem that optimizes energy flow and regulates
entropy (SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) is not only more efficient from a
scientific perspective but also offers a more enriching aesthetic experience.
This balance facilitates the elimination of poverty (SDGs 1, 2) and promotes
health, well-being, and education (SDGs 3, 4) while contributing to reducing
inequalities, fostering peace, justice, decent work, and partnerships for
development (SDGs 5, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17).
Therefore, it is essential to include the beauty and emotional
inspiration nature provides as an integral part of human development. Poverty,
in its multidimensional form, is also manifested as ecological, sociocultural,
aesthetic, and thermodynamic impoverishment.
For instance, light and atmospheric pollution diminish our ability to
enjoy a starry sky or a clear horizon, while simultaneously causing harmful
effects on the environment and human health. Light pollution disrupts the
biological cycles of numerous nocturnal species, affecting biodiversity and
disturbing the natural rhythms of ecosystems. This interference disorients
migratory birds, insects, and mammals, negatively impacting food webs and
ecological interactions. In humans, excessive artificial light interrupts
circadian rhythms, potentially causing sleep disorders and mental health
issues.
Similarly, atmospheric pollution has severe public health consequences,
increasing the prevalence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and
accelerating climate change. This phenomenon also affects ecological balance by
acidifying soils and water bodies, reducing plant photosynthesis, and severely
damaging marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Both types of pollution exacerbate
social inequalities, as vulnerable communities are often more exposed to these
harmful effects due to living in highly polluted areas and having limited
resources to mitigate them.
The same applies to the aesthetic pollution of rivers, which not only
affects the natural beauty of these water bodies but also disrupts aquatic
ecosystems and the quality of life of human communities that depend on them.
The accumulation of solid waste and industrial discharges harms numerous
aquatic species' habitats and reduces the quality of water for consumption and
agriculture. While hydropower is often considered a clean energy source since
it does not emit greenhouse gases during operation, it is not entirely
renewable. The construction of dams alters natural water flows, disrupts river
ecosystems, impedes fish migration, and causes waste accumulation, indirectly
contributing to pollution and affecting both the environment and local
populations.
Other examples of infrastructure projects that transform ecosystems
include the construction of roads and highways through natural areas, which
fragments habitats and hinders animal species' movement, disrupting
reproductive cycles and reducing biological diversity. Similarly, oil and gas
pipelines not only pose risks of contaminating spills but also require clearing
large areas of vegetation, degrading soil, and causing water imbalances by
altering filtration and runoff routes.
In response to this situation, renewable energies such as
third-generation photovoltaic solar systems emerge as key solutions for
electrifying rural areas in countries like Peru, Mexico, and Bolivia. These
systems reduce dependence on vulnerable sources and provide clean energy in
regions affected by natural disasters (Eras-Almeida et al., 2019, p. 2). Energy
diversification is crucial in countries like Ecuador, where climate change
affects water availability, making traditional sources like hydropower less
reliable (Eras-Almeida et al., 2021, p. 7). Furthermore, business models such
as pay-as-you-go (PAYG) enable these projects to be sustainable by involving
local communities in managing and maintaining the systems (Eras-Almeida et al.,
2019, p. 9). This transition to sustainable energy sources not only addresses a
technical need but also represents a step toward preserving the aesthetic and
functional balance of ecosystems.
4. Entropy, Complexity, and
Regeneration in Ecosystems
Organisms need to absorb negative entropy to counteract the entropy they
generate throughout their lives. This process ensures their survival and
simultaneously nourishes the ecosystem, promoting symbiotic and phenological
interactions that maintain the system’s energy balance. Symbiotic interactions,
such as mutualism and parasitism, involve relationships between organisms that
provide reciprocal benefits or effects for their coexistence. Phenological
interactions, on the other hand, refer to the cycles and synchronizations in
the development of organisms in response to seasonal and climatic factors, such
as flowering or migration. Organisms not only extract negative entropy but also
engage in creating new functional agreements that redistribute entropy, establishing
an ecological order that sustains biological diversity and the resilience of
ecosystems. One example is the symbiosis between mycorrhizae and plant roots:
fungi optimize nutrient absorption for the plant, which in turn provides energy
to the fungi. This exchange reduces the need for additional energy expenditure,
improves soil structure, and optimizes resource use, redistributing entropy and
strengthening the ecosystem's balance as a whole.
This dynamic balance, nurtured by a diversity of interactions, promotes
the continuous regeneration of the environment. Ecosystems act as inherited
non-genetic matrices, providing structures and environmental conditions that
favor species without requiring genetic transmission. Through symbiotic
relationships, such as mutualism between pollinators and plants, and stable
nutrient cycles in soil and water, ecosystems create patterns that persist from
generation to generation, allowing organisms to leverage these pre-existing
conditions and optimize their energy. These interactions store negative entropy
and facilitate the continuity of life and evolution, optimizing energy
efficiency and ensuring ecosystem stability.
The concept of entropy and the construction of ecological niches reflect
the interdependent complexity of ecological networks. Niche construction occurs
when organisms modify their environment to make it more favorable for their
survival and that of other species, creating structures that stabilize the
ecosystem and generate a "storage" of negative entropy. Therefore,
ecosystems are not sets of isolated species, but systems connected by dynamic
interactions that, like in thermodynamics, balance energy and functionality to
allow for evolution and persistence. Energy, understood as the capacity to do
work or cause a change, circulates continuously in these systems, while
exergy—the part of energy that can be harnessed to perform useful work—plays a
fundamental role in these cycles. The flow of energy and exergy in these
symbiotic networks, along with niche construction, helps maintain negative
entropy, preventing thermal collapse or environmental structure degradation.
An example of thermodynamic collapse is savannization, a process in
which degraded wetland ecosystems transform into savannas due to the loss of
vegetation and moisture. Similarly, ocean acidification alters the chemical
balance of marine habitats, and in rivers, pollution and reduced water flow
threaten biodiversity and ecological functionality, affecting both ecosystems
and human communities. These processes generate positive entropy, destabilizing
ecological complexity and contributing to system collapse. When a species
disappears or its habitat degrades, the niche construction activity that the
species contributed to its community is also lost, depriving the environment of
that transformative force that stabilizes and prevents degradation. For this
reason, defaunation and deforestation are cornerstones of "ecosystem
energy crises" and trigger global consequences, such as global temperature
increases, glacial melting, droughts, or floods.
Nature operates as a regenerative system formed by aesthetic facts; its
natural course becomes a visible expression of thermodynamic balance: a
continuous process that reorganizes chaos and generates harmony through stable
structures that evolve while building their environments, producing emergent
properties that amplify the coexistence of organisms despite spatial and
resource limitations (Toro-Rivadeneira, 2021, 2023). In this sense, aesthetics
and ecology are deeply intertwined, as both represent the expression of order
persistence amidst thermodynamic disorder. The loss of species or ecological
cycles represents not only a loss of vitality but also a decrease in diversity
and complexity that affects the perception and functionality of ecosystems.
This link between ecology, thermodynamics, and aesthetics reveals that
beauty and functionality are inseparable elements of a regenerative process.
The aesthetic experience that nature offers reflects the energetic and
ecological interactions that sustain its balance. The adoption of renewable
energy solutions thus becomes an ethical necessity, but also an aesthetic one,
to preserve the visual and functional integrity of ecosystems. Energy sources
such as solar, wind, and geothermal not only reduce the positive entropy
generated by fossil fuels, but also harmoniously integrate into the planet’s
natural cycles, respecting the thermodynamic dynamics that sustain life. By
harnessing natural energy flows without degrading the environment, these clean
energies embody the balance between functionality and aesthetics that
characterizes ecological processes.
In this sense, the transition to renewable energies represents an extension of ecological balance and an ethical response to the environmental crisis, which jeopardizes both the planet's stability and the functional and aesthetic harmony of ecosystems essential for life on Earth.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dancizo Toro-Rivadeneira is a biologist and philosopher of ecology. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). With master’s degrees in Evolutionary Biology, Conservation Biology, Epistemology, and Literary Studies, he has been a predoctoral researcher at UCM and the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC). He is currently a researcher at the International University of La Rioja (UNIR), with an excellence scholarship (FPI), focusing on ecoevolutionary poetics and ecosystem aesthetics. As a poet, he has published Litotelergia (2008) and Arribo y defaunación del fuego (2022). His work lies at the intersection of aesthetics, ecology, and the philosophy of science.
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