Abstract
By means of a systemic analysis of the relationships among components of an ecosystem's web, the flows of energy and other resources converging to produce the output (biomass, biodiversity, assets, etc.) can be evaluated on a common basis, i.e. the content of solar equivalent energy (emergy). Indices and ratios based on the emergy flows can be calculated and used to evaluate the behaviour of the whole system. In this paper, one of these indices, the emergy yield ratio η (total yield emergy per unit of emergy invested) is evaluated and suggestions made to modify it to account for present and future environmental damages due to the use of a given resource. The meaning of this index, with and without the proposed modification, is stressed illustrating the long-term effects of environmental pollution as well as some key uncertainty factors that are very often not taken into account. Odum, 1993
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
