Why there is a comma
Solution 1:
The comma after eliminate is paired with the one after ignore to delimit a parenthetical clause. In this sentence the phrase "and thus eventually to eliminate" adds extra information but isn't essential to the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
This phrase can be eliminated without the sentence losing meaning, e.g.
It tends to ignore many elements in the land community that lack commercial value, but that are essential to its healthy functioning.