Introduction to Systems Ecology
Features
- Presents a complete and practically applicable ecosystem theory that offers a general frame of reference for ecological disciplines
- Integrates four aspects of systems ecology: thermodynamics, biochemistry, network theory, and hierarchical organization
- Summarizes important points at the end of each chapter
- Includes plenty of examples and more than 100 exercises and problems for students to solve
- Contains more than 100 black-and-white illustrations and a 32-page color insert
A solutions manual and PowerPoint lecture slides are available upon qualifying course adoption.
Summary
Possibly the first textbook to present a practically applicable ecosystems theory, Introduction to Systems Ecology helps readers understand how ecosystems work and how they react to disturbances. It demonstrates—with many examples and illustrations—how to apply the theory to explain observations and to make quantitative calculations and predictions.
In this book, Sven Erik Jørgensen takes a first step toward integrating thermodynamics, biochemistry, hierarchical organization, and network theory into a holistic theory of systems ecology. The first part of the book covers the laws of thermodynamics and the basic biochemistry of living organisms, as well as the constraints they impose on ecosystems. To grow and develop, however, ecosystems have to evade these thermodynamic and biochemical constraints, so the second part of the book discusses the seven basic properties that enable ecosystems to grow, develop, and survive:
- They are open systems, far from thermodynamic equilibrium.
- They are organized hierarchically.
- They have a high diversity.
- They have high buffer capacities toward changes.
- Their components are organized in cooperative networks, which allows for sophisticated feedback, regulation mechanisms, and higher efficiencies.
- They contain an enormous amount of information embodied in genomes.
- They have emerging system properties.
This timely textbook also looks at how systems ecology is applied in integrated environmental management, particularly in ecological modeling and engineering and in the assessment of ecosystem health using ecological indicators. Acknowledging that there is still much room for improvement, it will inspire ecologists to develop a stronger and more widely applicable ecosystem theory.
Table of Contents
System Ecology: An Ecological Discipline
What Is Systems Ecology?
The Holistic Approach
Outline of the Book
PART 1
Conservation of Energy and Matter
The Conservation Laws
Other Thermodynamic Functions
Liebig’s Law of Minimum
Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
Cycling in Ecosystems and in the Ecosphere
Energy Flows in Ecosystems
Ecosystems: Growth and Development
The Maximum Power Principle
Embodied Energy/Emergy
Ecosystem as a Biochemical Reactor
Technological and Ecological Interpretation of the Thermodynamic
Concept Exergy
Eco-Exergy and Information
Irreversibility and Order: The Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics
Open Systems
Physical Openness
Ontic Openness
The Second Law of Thermodynamics Interpreted for Ecosystems
The Third Law of Thermodynamics Applied on Open Systems
Dissipative Structure and Eco-Exergy
How to Calculate Exergy of Organic Matter and Organisms
Why Have Living Systems Such a High Level of Exergy?
The Biochemistry of Ecosystems
A General Biochemistry for Living Systems
The First Steps of the Evolution toward a Biochemistry
The Prokaryote Cells
The Eukaryote Cells
The Temperature Range Needed for Life Processes
Natural Conditions for Life
Ecological Stoichiometry
The Thermodynamic Interpretation of Ecosystem Growth and Development
Introduction
The Ecosystem Development Described by a Thermodynamic Interpretation of the Three Growth Forms
Seasonal Changes
New Ecosystems
The Ecological Law of Thermodynamics
Introduction: Darwin’s Theory
The Ecological Law of Thermodynamics (ELT)
Some Basic Ecological Observations (Rules) That Can Be Explained by ELT
Structurally Dynamic Models (SDMs)
The Compliance between ELT and Evolutionary Theories
PART 2
Ecosystems Are Open Systems
Why Must Ecosystems Be Open?
The Allometric Principles and Quantification of Openness
Ecosystems Have a Hierarchical Organization
The Hierarchical Organization
Interactions between the Hierarchical Levels
The Variations and the Hierarchical Organization
The Frequency of Disturbances
Ontic Openness and the Hierarchy Theory
Ecosystems Have a High Diversity
Introduction
The Wide Spectrum of Forcing Functions
The Molecular Differentiation in Biochemistry
The Genetic Differentiation
The Diversity of Cells
The Diversity of Organs
Diversity among Individuals
Species Diversity
Differentiation of Communities and Ecological Networks
Diversity of Ecosystems
The Advantages of a High Biodiversity
Diversity and Extreme Environment
Ecosystems Have a High Buffer Capacity
Introduction: Stability Concepts
The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH)
Hysteresis and Buffer Capacities
Chaos, Disturbances, and Buffer Capacities
The Components of Ecosystems Form Ecological Networks
Introduction
Ecological Networks Increase Utilization Efficiency of Matter and Energy
Cardinal Hypotheses about the Properties of Networks
Network Analyses
Network Selection by Ecosystems
Ecosystems Have a Very High Content of Information
The Information Embodied in the Genes
The Ascendency
Information Embodied in the Networks and Horizontal Evolution
Life Is Information
Ecosystems Have Emerging Holistic System Properties
Introduction
Additional Properties of Ecosystems
Application of System Ecology in Ecological Subdisciplines and Environmental Management
Integrated Ecological and Environmental Management Should Be Based on a Profound Knowledge to System Ecology
The Application of Systems Ecology to Explain Ecological Observations and Rules
Application of Systems Ecology to Explain the Principles Applied in Ecological Engineering
Application of Systems Ecology to Assess Ecosystem Health
References
Appendix
Index
Chapters include a summary of important points and exercises or problems.
