The main difference between ecocentric and biocentric is that ecocentric discusses abiotic factors of the environment, whereas biocentric discusses the biotic factors of the environment.
Generally, ecocentric and biocentric are two philosophies that discuss things in the environment. They emphasize the importance of nature but deemphasize the importance of humans.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Ecocentric
– Definition, Types, Examples
2. What is Biocentric
– Definition, Types, Examples
3. Similarities Between Ecocentric and Biocentric
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Ecocentric and Biocentric
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Biocentric, Ecocentric
What is Ecocentric
Ecocentric is a philosophy of the environment that includes the ecosphere. Generally, it comprises all ecosystems, the atmosphere, land, and water. Therefore, ecocentric describes abiotic factors, including rivers, oceans, forests, wetlands, etc. In general, abiotic elements in an ecosystem can be described under three categories: abiotic components, abiotic resources, and abiotic factors. Abiotic components of the ecosystem include climate, soil, topography, and natural disturbances. Moreover, the climate includes temperature, wind patterns, and rainfall, while the soil is the geological material that lies on the floor of the ecosystem.
Figure 1: Abiotic Factors
Furthermore, the topography is the variety of shapes like slopes, elevation, and landscape aspects that affect living organisms. Annual flooding, unexpected fires, and high snowfall are some natural disturbances that affect living organisms. Abiotic resources include land, water, oil, and coal. In comparison, water depth, pH, salinity, sunlight, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen are examples of abiotic factors. Furthermore, abiotic factors depend on the abiotic resources.
What is Biocentric
Biocentric is a philosophy of the environment that includes the biotic elements of the environment. The three types of biotic elements of the ecosystem include biotic components, biotic resources, and biotic factors. Generally, biotic components include all the living things in the environment. Examples of biotic components are animals, plants, and microorganisms. Depending on the metabolism, there are two types of biotic components. They are autotrophs and heterotrophs. In general, autotrophs are producers, while heterotrophs utilize organic components.
Figure 2: Biotic Factors
Moreover, all living resources are considered biotic resources. Biotic resources are renewable as they are the products of forests, marine resources, and rivers. Examples of biotic resources include food, tea, medicine, timber, wood, wool, alcohol, dry fruits, and mineral fuels. In addition, biotic factors of the ecosystems include the living things that interact with the other biotic factors, such as predators, parasites, competitors, symbionts, and prey.
Similarities Between Ecocentric and Biocentric
- Ecocentric and biocentric are two philosophies discussing nature’s biotic and abiotic factors.
- Furthermore, both emphasize the protection of nature and de-emphasize the importance of humans.
Difference Between Ecocentric and Biocentric
Definition
Ecocentric refers to a philosophy or perspective that places intrinsic value on all living organisms and their natural environment, regardless of their perceived usefulness or importance to human beings, while biocentric refers to the view or belief that the rights and needs of humans are not more important than those of other living things.
Significance
Ecocentric focuses on ecological concerns, while biocentric focuses on living components of the environment.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Ecocentric discusses abiotic elements, while biocentric discusses biotic elements.
Examples
Moreover, ecocentric includes climate, soil, natural disturbance, land, sunlight, and water, while biocentric includes predators, prey, food, tea, medicine, animals, plants, fish, and insects.
Conclusion
In brief, ecocentric and biocentric are two types of philosophies that discuss the different components of nature. Generally, ecocentric focuses on ecological concerns that include abiotic elements of the environment. Therefore, ecocentric includes animals, plants, fish, insects, land, and water. Biocentric, on the other hand, focuses on the living components of the ecosystem that include biotic factors of the ecosystem. Biocentric includes animals, plants, fish, insects, etc. Hence, the main difference between ecocentric and biocentric is the type of component that each philosophy focuses on.
References:
- “Why Ecocentrism Is the Key Pathway to Sustainability.” MAHB, 23 Nov. 2020,
- “Biocentrism in Environmental Ethics.” Study.com | Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers.
Image Courtesy:
- “Abiotic components” By Meghina – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Biotic pollination vector” By Lkarrer – Own Work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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