Integration of Ecosystem Theories: A Pattern [Paperback]

The book presents an integration of existing ecosystem theories in such a comprehensive way as to enable a full ecological and theoretical pattern to be presented. It shows that ecosystems and their reactions may be understood, provided that all basic systems ecology is applied to different aspects of the properties of ecosystems. Since the publication of the previous two editions of this book, ongoing research and discussions on an international scale have greatly clarified and enhanced this pattern. This progress is presented as Chapter 16 in this new, third edition. It is shown that the integrated ecosystem theory presented can be applied to explain various ecological observations and rules.
Audience: Researchers and decision makers whose work involves the study of ecosystems and ecology. This book is also recommended for use in graduate courses.1. Introduction: Recent Trends In Science.- 1.1 How Did It start.- 1.2 Physics versus Ecology.- 1.3 Ecology and Physics.- 1.4 Recent Trends in Science.- 1.5. The Ecosystem as an Object of Research.- 2. Do We Need A New, Holistic Ecology.- 2.1 Two Ecologies.- 2.2 Complexity of Ecosystems.- 2.3 Ecology and Quantum Theory.- 3. Models In Ecology.- 3.1 Modelling in Ecology.- 3.2 Modelling Elements.- 3.3 The Modelling Procedure.- 3.4 Types of Models.- 3.5 Complexity of Models.- 3.6 Modelling Constraints and Recent Developments in Ecological Modelling.- 3.7 Application of Models as Scientific, Experimental Tools.- 4. Energy And Ecology.- 4.1 Conservation of Energy and Matter.- 4.2 Energy Flows in Ecosystems.- 4.3 The Maximum Power Principle.- 4.4 Embodied Energy / Emergy.- 5. Entropy And Ecology.- 5.1 The Second Law of Thermodynamics Applied to Ecosystems.- 5.2 Information and Entropy.- 5.3 Ecosystems Generate Entropy.- 5.4 Ecosystems are Non-isolated Systems.- 5.5 Energy Sources and Sinks Establish Order.- 5.6 Self-organization.- 5.7 The Maximum Entropy and Maximum Energy Dissipation Theory.- 6. Exergy And Ecology.- 6lc+