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On the Origin of Species in the Metaverse for the Preservation of Natural Systems in Virtual Worlds

Biophilia in Bytes: Growing a Natural World within Virtual Realities
By: Kaitlin Margaret Reed
August 27, 2025

Abstract

Entering the Metaverse distances humanity from nature, posing a significant existential threat. Drawing inspiration from Darwin's On the Origin of Species, we propose a model to evolve the Metaverse into a multi-species ecosystem. This emphasizes preserving biodiversity and fostering a biophilic reconnection within synthetic realms through natural evolutionary processes. Our approach outlines a pathway to a digital ecosystem evolving autonomously in alignment with biological
counterparts, proposing an integration that is critical for the survival of all species, including humans. By designing ecological feedback loops and evolutionary algorithms into virtual environments, we move beyond mere replication of nature. Instead, we enable dynamic biodiversity within digital ecosystems, showing that true evolution emerges from the synergy between human, machine, and natural systems. Ultimately, we contend that cultivating nature within the Metaverse—allowing it to grow rather than be constructed—offers a path to more vibrant, enduring, and biologically authentic virtual worlds.

A futuristic AI generated landscape

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