Deep Ecology--What makes it deep?

Deep ecology considers the essence of nature independent of humanity.  We have discussed in class that there may not be any pristine nature left; all nature has been touched by humanity somehow.  I think one of the most fascinating things about any environmental debate is that even if the human race is wiped out by disease or disaster, nature will still continue its course.  New species will evolve and the world will readjust to the new environment that comes out of the event.  Therefore, the essence of nature is not only completely independent of humanity, but more powerful (or at least resistant) as well.  The deep part of nature is encompassed in the harmony of nature that is understood through science.  Knowing how the ecology of an ecosystem works in inciteful for making aesthetics judgments of nature.  However, it is only through immersion in the environment that the science translates into beauty.  Unless we have the experience of being in the environment, we can only call the appreciation scientific, not aesthetic.  The connection between the knowledge and the experience result in the aesthetic appreciation of nature from a deep ecology standpoint.  The harmony of nature (that exists with and without humanity) is what makes nature special and worth appreciating.