What is the Gaia hypothesis?
A)a hypothesis that states the Earth is alive
B)the concept of environmental unity
C)the hypothesis lying at the root of uniformitarianism
D)a set of hypotheses that likens the Earth to a superorganism with interrelated, mutually adjusting systems

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Gaia hypothesis is a set of hypotheses that likens the Earth to a superorganism with interrelated, mutually adjusting systems, first proposed by British scientist James Lovelock in the 1970s. It suggests that the Earth is a self-regulating complex system that maintains conditions suitable for life, including the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface. Its supporters argue that life and the environment are closely intertwined and that changes to one will affect the other, leading to a series of feedback mechanisms that stabilize the system. While controversial, the Gaia hypothesis has sparked new discussions and research into the relationship between life and the environment.

What Is the Gaia Hypothesis