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...

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...

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...

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...

With descriptions of hundreds of the most important environmental and ecological models, this handbook is a unique and practical reference source. The Handbook of Environmental and Ecological Modeling is ideal for those working in environmental modeling, including regulators and managers who wish to understand the models used to make assessments. Overviews of more than 360 models are easily accessed in this handbook, allowing readers to quickly locate information they need about models available in a given ecosystem.

Slightly more than 100,000 chemicals are produced in such an amount that they are threatening to the environment. These include common chemicals such as household cleaners, detergents, cosmetics, medicines, and pesticides. The Handbook of Estimation Methods in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Chemistry presents estimation methods for determining a number of physicochemical, biological, and toxicological parameters for these chemicals. Included is WinTox software, an estimation tool that is quick and easy to use; it provides a good initial estimate that can be further refined. Through the...

As part of the Environmental and Ecological Modeling Handbooks series, the Handbook of Ecosystem Theories and Management provides a comprehe nsive overview of ecosystem theory and the tools - ecological engineer ing, ecological modeling, ecotoxicology and ecological economics -to m anage these systems. The book is laid out to provide a summary or sur vey of each topic, using many tables and figures. Concepts, definition s, important findings, basic hypotheses, important correlations betwee n theories and observation with illustrative graphs are included.

Combines existing (and different) ecosystem theories into an integral pattern, which shows that systems ecology can offer a full theoretical pattern. This may be of importance for development of ecology, ecosystem theory and environmental science.