Geology Determines Biology

Question 1: Do you think the Earth is a living organism? Why or why not?
The earth is a living organism. It has systems that are cyclic and always fights to achieve a balance between its many components. Gaia hypothesized that there is a complex relationship between the ocean, the atmosphere, and the land (Shamsudduha, 2017). All processes, physical, biological, geological, and chemical have a bearing on each other and are inextricably connected. Looking at the hydrological cycle for instance, it ensures that there is a balance between ocean water, water in the land, and atmospheric water. Proof, the salinity, pH, and temperature of ocean water has remained constant for hundreds of millions of years. An output in one process is input for another process; a design that is there to ensure stability and a state of equilibrium.
Question 2: Based upon the linkage between ecology and geology, what is the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in ecological restoration and what are the critical ecological challenges in your area?
Ecological restoration requires the collaboration of both ecology and geology. Different species of flora and fauna thrive in different geologies. As such, to restore the ecology of an area, the geology determines what will survive or not. Making the distinction and ensuring that it is applied requires a balance and collaboration of the two. In the Californian side, the ecology is diverse. There are instances where draught and wildfires become unbearable, other times there is bad quality air, and loss of native flora and fauna due to human activity. Climate change is presenting a fresh challenge of rising coastal waters, as well as, the development of aggressive coastal activities such as hurricanes and flooding.

References
Shamsudduha, M. (2017). Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth. Macat Library.