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...

Presents readers with an overview of lake management problems and the tools that can be applied to solve probelms. Lake management tools are presented in detail, including environmental technological methods, ecotechnological methods and the application of models to assess the best management strategy.

The aim of this book is to encourage integration of the natural and social sciences with the policy and design-making community, and thereby develop a deeper understanding of complex environmental problems. Its fundamental themes are:

- integrated modeling and assessment
- complex, adaptive, hierarchical systems
- ecosystem services
- science and decision-making
- ecosystem health and human health
- quality of life and the distribution of wealth and resources.

This book will act as a state of the art assessment of integrated environmental science and its...

Completely updated to keep pace with current technology.
* Provides a firm grounding the fundamentals, theory, and latest techniques.
* Includes completely updated case studies.