Introduction to Systems Ecology

About this book

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.

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.

Contents

- System Ecology: An Ecological Discipline

Part 1: Conservation of Energy and Matter
- Ecosystems: Growth and Development
- Irreversibility and Order: The Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics
- The Biochemistry of Ecosystems
- The Thermodynamic Interpretation of Ecosystem Growth and Development
- The Ecological Law of Thermodynamics

Part 2: Ecosystems Are Open Systems
- Ecosystems Have a Hierarchical Organization
- Ecosystems Have a High Diversity
- Ecosystems Have a High Buffer Capacity
- The Components of Ecosystems Form Ecological Networks
- Ecosystems Have a Very High Content of Information
- Ecosystems Have Emerging Holistic System Properties
- Application of System Ecology in Ecological Subdisciplines and Environmental Management

References
Appendix
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Dr. Sven Erik Jørgensen is a professor of environmental chemistry at Copenhagen University. He received a doctorate of engineering in environmental technology and a doctorate of science in ecological modeling. He is an honorable doctor of science at Coimbra University, Portugal, and at Dar es Salaam University, Tanzania. He was editor in chief of Ecological Modelling from the journal's inception in 1975 to 2009. He has also been the editor in chief of the Encyclopedia of Ecology. In 2004 Dr. Jørgensen was awarded the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize and the Prigogine Prize. He was awarded the Einstein Professorship by the Chinese Academy of Science in 2005. In 2007 he received the Pascal medal and was elected a member of the European Academy of Science. He has written close to 350 papers, most of which have been published in international peer-reviewed journals. He has edited or written 64 books. Dr. Jørgensen has given lectures and courses in ecological modeling, ecosystem theory, and ecological engineering worldwide.