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Evolution of Organic Life in Jaina Biology
287 *Fresh water habitats change much more rapidly than other lifezones ; pond becomes swamps, swamps become filled in and converted to dry land, and streams erede their banks and change their course."'59
It is found that the aquatic plants and animals as described in Jaina Biology may change markedly and show ecologic successions similar to those on land. The large lakes (hada) are relatively stable habitats and have more stable populations of plants and animals.60
The Dynamic Balance of Nature
A close study of the biologic inter-relationship of plants and animals, their mode of nutrition, ecosystem, habitat and niche, and types of interactions61, and principles of evolution, its living evidence, principles of ecology and the outcome of evolution : adaptation 62 as explained in Jaina Biology in some form reveals that the communtties of plants and animals are constantly undergoing an analogous reshuffling63 and the concept of the dynamic state of communities is a valid one. Plant and animal populations are constantly subject to changes in their physical and biotic environment64 and must adapt or die as suggested by Ahārapadaniksepa (knowledge of food) of the Sūtrakstānga.65
“A population may vary in size but if outruns its food supply, like the Kabab deer or the lemmings, equilibrium is quickly restored.”66
Communities of organism-plants and animals as described in Jaina Biology exhibit growth,67 specialization 68 and interdependence, 69 charac
:9. Biology p. 594. 60. Sec Thānpayam, Pappavaņā 2. 61. See the first section "Biologic Interrelationship”, etc. of the second chapter :
The world of Life : Plants. See also Sūtrakrtanga II. 3. Ahāranik sepa know ledge of food)
See The 7th chapter and 1st chapter second section." 63. See Sūtrakrtânga 11. 3. Abaranikṣepa (knowledge of food). 64. See the first section of the second chapter "Biologic Interrelationship“, etc. 65. Sūtrakļ, knga II 3. 66. Biology, 594. 67. Tarkarahasyadipika, Tika on V. 49 (Pratiniyatavrddhi). 68. See the 2nd chapter ist section - "Distinction Between Plants and Animals". 69. See the 1st section of the second chapter"Biologic Interrelationship", etc.
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