Yes, there's an interchange of communication across the whole ecology all the time - everything sending everything else messages through the links that functionally relate them.

Humans make a big mistake thinking they control Nature. They control nothing of it, just tinker around and force Her to adjust.

Enjoy building a snowman? Oh boy, do I hate snow and winter, happier to hibernate and let Her take her course, get the ground prepared for the rebirth of everything in temperate climates in Spring!

Come the summer I raise my arms to the Sun! Bring it on (and let's hope we have one this year).

What you say about purification is dead on.