Book Details
Orange Code:76406
Paperback:381 pages
Publications:
Categories:
Sections:
1. THERMODYNAMICS AS A METHOD: A PROBLEM OF STATISTICAL DESCRIPTION2. THE LAWS OF CLASSICAL THERMODYNAMICS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO ECOLOGY3. SECOND AND THIRD LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS IN OPEN SYSTEMS4. ENTROPY, PROBABILITY AND INFORMATION5. WORK, EXERGYAND INFORMATION6. STABILITYIN MATHEMATICS, THERMODYNAMICS AND ECOLOGY7. MODELS OF ECOSYSTEMS: THERMODYNAMIC BASIS AND METHODS. I. TROPHIC CHAINS8. MODELS OF ECOSYSTEMS: THERMODYNAMIC BASIS AND METHODS. II. COMPETITION AND TROPHIC LEVEL9. THERMODYNAMICS OF ECOLOGICAL NETWORKS10. THERMODYNAMICS OF VEGETATION11. THERMODYNAMICS OF THE BIOSPHERE12. TELEOLOGYAND EXTREME PRINCIPLES: A TENTATIVE FOURTH LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS13. APPLICATION OF EXERGYAS ECOLOGICAL INDICATOR AND GOAL FUNCTION IN ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
Description:
|
The book presents a consistent and complete ecosystem theory based on thermodynamic concepts. The first chapters are devoted to an interpretation of the first and second law of thermodynamics in ecosystem context. Then Prigogine's use of far from equilibrium thermodynamic is used on ecosystems to explain their reactions to perturbations. The introduction of the concept exergy makes it possible to give a more profound and comprehensive explanation of the ecosystem's reactions and growth-patterns. A tentative fourth law of thermodynamic is formulated and applied to facilitate these explanations. The trophic chain, the global energy and radiation balance and pattern and the reactions of ecological networks are all explained by the use of exergy. Finally, it is discussed how the presented theory can be applied more widely to explain ecological observations and rules, to assess ecosystem health and to develop ecological models
|
