Chapter 8 - Models of ecosystems: Thermodynamic basis and methods. II. Competition and trophic level

Abstract

This chapter examines the thermodynamics of complex systems—communities with competition between species. In this context, it describes the Prigogine like theorem, according to which the exergy of the community will be maximal. Furthermore, the resources in the environment tend to minimum indicating that the resources have a maximal utilization. The system may play on r-strategists or on K-strategists to obtain these goals. Moreover, communities of interacting populations evolve in a manner that their matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) always increase, attaining maximum at the stable structural equilibrium. The Malthusian parameters are named the fitness of genetypes. The population with maximal fitness survives; the other populations are eliminated during the process of natural selection. The chapter concludes with the Prigogine's theorem validating for communities and the general steady development towards a better fitness is consistent with Prigogine's theorem.