Philosophy of ecology of Justus von Liebig: different Liebig
- Authors: Nikolskii A.A.1, Vanisova E.A.1
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Affiliations:
- Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)
- Issue: Vol 28, No 1 (2020)
- Pages: 75-81
- Section: Ecology
- URL: https://journal-vniispk.ru/2313-2310/article/view/323879
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-2310-2020-28-1-75-81
- ID: 323879
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Abstract
German chemist Justus von Liebig is known in the ecological literature as the author of “Liebig’s law of the minimum”. But the law of the minimum is absent in his publications, which ecologists cite. The “law” is nothing more than an interpretation of some of Liebig’s statements. However, irrespective of the law of the minimum, Liebig’s outstanding contribution to the theory of ecology is obvious: Liebig was one of the first who drew attention to the sustainability of the phenomenon of life organized into supraorganismal systems. Liebig showed that as a result of the interaction of plants and animals and as a result of their life processes, such as nutrition and respiration, there is a continuous transformation of a substance consisting of the same elements. On the example of the constancy of the gas composition of the atmosphere, Liebig comes to a generalization that is crucial for ecology: the interaction of plants and animals is a factor of sustainability of their own environment, which they create themselves and support for an unlimited time in a stable state.
About the authors
Alexander A. Nikolskii
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)
Author for correspondence.
Email: bobak@list.ru
Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of System Ecology of Faculty of Ecology
6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russian FederationElena A. Vanisova
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)
Email: vanhelen@mail.ru
PhD in Biological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of System Ecology of Faculty of Ecology
6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russian FederationReferences
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