Theoretical Ecosystem Ecology Understanding Element Cycles [Paperback]

A rigorous mathematical framework for analysing ecosystems using element cycles; advanced 1996 text aimed at graduate ecologists.Cycles such as the nitrogen cycle are of central importance in the study of ecology. This up-to-date work develops a rigorous mathematical framework within which to model these element cycles and their interactions in plants and soils. The new ecosystem theory presented here generates powerful predictions which are tested extensively against empirical studies of real ecosystems. The successful application of mathematics to ecology will appeal to graduates and researchers in disciplines from ecology to soil science and forestry.Cycles such as the nitrogen cycle are of central importance in the study of ecology. This up-to-date work develops a rigorous mathematical framework within which to model these element cycles and their interactions in plants and soils. The new ecosystem theory presented here generates powerful predictions which are tested extensively against empirical studies of real ecosystems. The successful application of mathematics to ecology will appeal to graduates and researchers in disciplines from ecology to soil science and forestry.The cycling of elements such as carbon and nitrogen is of central importance in ecology, particularly when humans are causing changes to nutrient cycles on a global scale. This book develops a rigorous mathematical framework to illustrate how nutrient cycles operate and interact in plants and soils, forming the foundations of a new ecosystem theory. Powerful predictions can be generated covering a wide range of ecological phenomena related to nutrient cycling from a few basic equations. These predictions are tested extensively against field and laboratory studies of agricultural and forest ecosystems.Preface; List of important symbols; Part I. Prelude: 1. Introduction; 2. Element cycling; 3. Part II. The Soil: 3. Theory for homogeneous substrates; 4. Theory for heterogeneous substrates; 5. CarblÖ