Beyond Gaia: Thermodynamics of Life and Earth System Functioning

@article{Kleidon2004BeyondGT,
  title={Beyond Gaia: Thermodynamics of Life and Earth System Functioning},
  author={Axel Kleidon},
  journal={Climatic Change},
  year={2004},
  volume={66},
  pages={271-319}
}
Are there any general principles that govern the way in which life affects Earth system functioning? Most prominently, the Gaia hypothesis addresses this question by proposing that near-homeostatic conditions on Earth have been maintained “by and for the biosphere.” Here the role of the biota in the Earth system is described from a viewpoint of nonequilibrium thermodynamics, particularly with respect to the hypothesis of maximum entropy production (MEP). It is argued that the biota introduce… Expand
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