humans the coordinating species?

[ichigo]

In the ecology of the planet, are humans the coordinating species? If so, why? If not, why not? What are the challenges and responsibilities of such a position?

[kolean]

I think Mr. Smith in the Matrix had it right in that humans are like a virus on this planet.

[Eous]

actually, considering humans came from the planet and have largely seperated themselves from and avoid the control of the ecological systems of the planet, they are more of a cancer than a virus.

[kolean]

Oh, you are under the assumption that humans came from the planet.
Perhaps they were placed upon this planet as our host.

[jyaron]

To say that humans "came from our planet" isn't necessarily a true statement. Yes, humans have evolved from simpler organisms on this planet, but the origin of life was not necessarily on earth (ie, the concept of panspermia).

[rosalin]

What exactly do you mean by "coordinating species" ? Your question doesn't quite make sense.

We're definitely not the most coordinated species. Ever seen termites and ants at work?

We are the dominant species. There's not much on Earth that regularly preys on humans and there's not much that humans won't eat. The only things we have to fear are bacteria and viruses.

We like to think we're very important, ecologically, but other than the negative impacts our development has had on the habitat of other species, we're not really big movers on an ecological scale.

Pretty much all the insects, which are the real ecological powerhouses, would be hard pressed to even notice if we were to disappear from the Earth. However, losing something as vital as ants, or bees or even scarab beetles would have a devastating effect on us.