Thermodynamics and Ecological Modelling

ISBN-13: 9780367398071 / Angielski / Miękka / 2019 / 384 str.

Sven E. Jorgensen

Opis

Thermodynamics and Ecological Modeling provides a book-length study - the first of its kind - of the current thinking on how an ecosystem can be explained and predicted in terms of its thermodynamical behavior. After the introductory chapters on the fundamentals of thermodynamics, the book will then explain how thermodynamic theory can be specifically applied to the "measurement" of an ecosystem, including the assessment of its state of entropy and enthalpy. Additionally, it will show economists how to put these theories to use when trying to quantify the movement of goods and services through another type of complex living system - human society.

Spis treści

Introduction. Exergy in Ecology. The Extended Law of Thermodynamics. Energy in Ecology. Entropy and Exergy Principles in Living Systems. Application of Thermodynamic Concepts to Real Ecosystems. Thermodynamics and Ecology, Far from Thermodynamics Equilibrium. Thermodynamics and Theory of Stability. Exergy and Emergence of Multi-Dimensional System Orientation. Emergy and Ecology. Imperfect Symmetry: Action Principles in Ecology and Evolution. Ecology and the Third Law of Thermodynamics. Ecology and a Tentative Fourth Law of Thermodynamics. Towards a Thermodynamic Theory of Ecosystems. Index. Appendices.

O autorze

Jorgensen, Sven E.