Chapter 1 - Thermodynamics as a method: A problem of statistical description

Abstract

This chapter discusses the present ecosystem theory to build a theoretical network in ecology and shows to what extent such a theoretical network has been established. The advantages of having an ecosystem theory allow a better understanding of the nature, including the behavior of ecosystems and their reactions to different perturbations. An ecosystem theory is also applicable in environmental management, because it allows predicting how ecosystems react to various sets of man-controlled forcing functions. The thermodynamic interpretation of an ecosystem theory by use of the concept of exergy is the main focus of the chapter. Exergy may be applied as a core concept in a thermodynamic edition of an ecosystem theory. Various approaches have different advantages in different situations. When an ecosystem problem is best solved by use of an approach based on energy and exergy, these concepts should be applied, but when the processes and reactions concern the network, the use of a network theoretical approach may give clear advantages. The relationship between the different approaches is also mentioned to emphasize the importance of a pluralistic view to describe an ecosystem.