How has the global biogeochemical/climate system called Gaia changed in time? What is its history? ?

Question

Can Gaia maintain stability of the system at one time scale but still undergo vectorial change at longer time scales? How can the geologic record be used to examine these questions?"

Answer 1

The Gaia system has not stopped mass extinction. In Canada we just lost massive ice sheets, that have been around for thousands of years, in one summer. Habitats are changing so fast that biologists can't keep tract of them. Don't count on Gaia to save man.  

Answer 2

"vectorial change"?

You have no idea what you're talking about, do you? Or do you mean the earth's speed-vector in orbit around the Sun?

Answer 3

So... Reality isn't enough for you, yet you see that religion is hogwash, so you are embarking on a new imaginary cosmology: "The planet is alive!"

As an atheist, I challenge you to provide evidence.

As a fellow human, I'm sorry reallity isn't enough and I hope you feel happy with your project, but don't impose on anyone else please.

Answer 4

If you believe God will not give man everything he ever needs, then you can find evidence that He hasn't. It's in your perception, though, not reality.

You could look at ice core samples to see balance at work. I see it in my garden. Everything is working optimally even if the ground squirrels eat some of my carrots.

Now, if a Grizzly tore down my fence and ate ALL my carrots, I'd start complaining about some imbalance and make a political issue out of it.

Answer 5

The geologic record has been used to examine Gaia's workings far enough back to postulate that the only thing she maintains is the existence of the planet.  Everything else, from continents to species, has changed over time scales, whether short or (more or less)infinitely long.