The World as a Wardian Case

Abstract

Humans have long attempted to create controlled environments, mini-biospheres, to support and study life. With the onset of globalization, some of these methods were used to transport plants around the world, which allowed all manner of plants and microbes to migrate between ecosystems, teaching a tough lesson on ecological interconnectedness. As this article suggests, it might prove useful to view the entire planet as a Wardian case, but this can only work if humans are willing to move beyond the limits of anthropocentrism and form a community with other species on Earth.