Entropy Production Using Ecological and Physiological Models of Stand Growth Dynamics as an Example

Abstract

According to the Prigogine–Glansdorff principle, in a thermodynamic system where non-equilibrium processes occur, the change in entropy production is negative or equal to zero. Forest plantations are an example of such thermodynamic systems. Based on the ecological–physiological models of the forest stand growth dynamics developed by the authors of this work, the specific entropy production in the growth of stands was calculated, which is known to be proportional to the entropy production. It is shown that at the age when the minimum value of the specific entropy production is reached, the biomass of the stand has a maximum value. This conclusion is an important predictive factor for practical forestry, since determining the time of the minimum entropy production allows us to determine the time interval at which the biomass of the stand reaches its maximum value.