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Journal Article

Humans: Intertwined with life and the basic elements in the Anthropocene biosphere

Authors

Folke,  Carl
External Organizations;

Hattle,  Andrew
External Organizations;

Jørgensen,  Peter Søgaard
External Organizations;

Österblom,  Henrik
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Bjordam,  Tone
External Organizations;

Bratman,  Gregory
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Lashus,  Connor
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Normark,  Staffan
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Wang-Erlandsson,  Lan
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Daily,  Gretchen
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/persons/resource/Donges

Donges,  Jonathan Friedemann       
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research;

Galbraith,  Eric
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Jobbágy,  Esteban
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König,  Ariane
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Milani,  Tomás
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Nyström,  Magnus
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Reyers,  Belinda
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Rocha,  Juan
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/persons/resource/johan.rockstrom

Rockström,  Johan       
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research;

Schill,  Caroline
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34917oa.pdf
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Citation

Folke, C., Hattle, A., Jørgensen, P. S., Österblom, H., Bjordam, T., Bratman, G., Lashus, C., Normark, S., Wang-Erlandsson, L., Daily, G., Donges, J. F., Galbraith, E., Jobbágy, E., König, A., Milani, T., Nyström, M., Reyers, B., Rocha, J., Rockström, J., Schill, C. (2026): Humans: Intertwined with life and the basic elements in the Anthropocene biosphere. - Ambio, 55, 2295-2320.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-026-02474-z


Cite as: https://publications.pik-potsdam.de/pubman/item/item_34917
Abstract
The notion of people and nature as intertwined and embedded in the biosphere is gaining traction in contemporary scientific discourses. But what does it mean for a human being to be intertwined? Here, we explore this question through two lenses: looking at the human body as an open living system in continuous exchange with the chemical elements on Earth; and looking across the biosphere, at the intricate functioning of the web of life in mediating these exchanges. The first lens focuses on relationships between chemical elements and life processes within us humans, relationships that are critical for our bodies to operate and function. We then expand the perspective to show how microorganisms, fungi, plants, and animals in ecosystems shape and mediate the elemental flows through the air, water, and food that our bodies require for survival. The two lenses highlight that humans have evolved as part of, and remain integrated with, these complex and dynamic life–element interdependencies, spanning all scales and domains across the biosphere. In the Anthropocene, humans remain as bodily dependent on life-mediated elemental cycles as ever, irrespective of culture, economic development, or technological advances. This inseparability reflects the core reality of existing in the biosphere, with implications for how to approach and understand human–environment relations and confront the challenges of the Anthropocene. It further implies that biosphere stewardship is not only a cognitive or ethical orientation, but also an embodied practice: one that involves learning about, caring for, and enhancing the living relations that mobilise, regenerate, and circulate life-sustaining elements.