Evolution from a Thermodynamic Perspective - Carl F Jordan

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Résumé :
C?ontents.- Part 1. Theory.- To Understand Economics, Follow the Money: To Understand Ecosystems, Follow the Energy.- Two Views of Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation.- Why I Wrote this Book.- Dualities Still Impede Conservation Efforts.- The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform of Biodiversity.- Targets for Conservation.- Evolving Objectives.- Literature Review.- Updating Ecosystem Ecology.- References.- What Can We Learn by Studying Ecosystems that We Can't Learn from Studying Populations?.- The Predator-Prey Conundrum.- The Serengeti Ecosystem.- Evolution in the Ecological Theater.- Predator-Prey Interactions Tell Only Part of the Story.- Evolution in the Thermodynamic Theater.- References.- A Thermodynamic Definition of Ecosystems.- Ecosystems in the 20th Century.- Cycling of Strontium-90.- Cesium-137 in Food Chains.- Recycling of Isotopes in Norwegian Sheep.- Ecological Energetics.- Is it Time to Bury the Ecosystem Concept?.- A Thermodynamic Definition of Life.- A Thermodynamic Definition of Ecosystems.- The Phase Transition between Order and Chaos.- References.- Thermodynamic Characteristics of Ecosystems.- Equilibrium.- The Equilibrium Law.- Thermodynamic Equilibrium.- Open Thermodynamic Systems.- Ecosystems are Thermodynamically Open Non-Equilibrium Systems.- Work is Performed by Non-equilibrium Systems.- Advantage of a Thermodynamically Open System.- 4.3 Ecosystems are Entropic.- 4.4 Ecosystems are Cybernetic.- Cybernetic Systems.- Economic Systems are Cybernetic Ecosystems are Cybernetic.- The Ecosystem Feedback Function.- Indirect vs. Direct Feedback.- Deviation Dampening and Amplifying Feedback.- Set Points.- Ecosystems are Autocatalytic.- Ecosystems have Boundaries.- Ecosystems are Hierarchical.- Hierarchy in Physical Systems.- Hierarchy in Ecological Systems.- Common Currencies.- Macro-and Micro-System Models.- Why an Ecosystem Model that Includes Everything is not Possible.- A Nested Marine Community.- Ecosystems are Deterministic.- Ecosystems are Information Rich.- An Engineering Definition of Information.- Information to Facilitate Exchange.- High Energy Information.- Low Energy Information.- Information Theory.- Genetic Information.- Ecosystems are Non-Teleological.- Criticisms of Ecosystem Models.- References.- Ecosystem Control: A Top-Down View.- Two Ways to Look at Systems.- Composing and Decomposing Trophic Webs.- Decomposers in Soil Organic Matter.- Decomposers in Marshes and Mangroves.- Control of Systems.- Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up.- Top-Down Exogenous Control.- Exogenous Impacts and Stability.- Top-Down Endogenous Control.- Endogenous Control through Nutrient Recycling.- Autocatalysis.- Control of Microbial Activity.- Inhibition of Microbial Activity by Leaf Sclerophylly.- Inhibition of Microbial Activity Chemical Defenses.- Inhibition of Microbial Activity by Ecological Stoichiometry.- The Synchrony Principle.- The Decay Law.- Direct Nutrient Cycling.- The Role of Animals.- Indirect Interactions.- Marine Systems.- Nutrient and Energy Recycling.- Exogenous Control.- Control in Lakes.- Control in Managed Ecosystems.- References.- Ecosystem Control: A Bottom-Up View.- Species as Arbitrageurs of Energy.- Relation Between Rate of Flow and Mass in Hydraulic Systems.- Relation Between Population Biomass and Rate of Energy Flow.- Equilibrium.- Mechanisms of Adjustment.- Adjustments and Climate Change.- Bird Populations.- Dis-equilibrium.- Population Instability vs. Ecosystem Instability.- Control by Interactions: Direct vs. Indirect.- Indirect Interactions.- Direct Interactions.- Predator - Prey.- Mutualisms.- Competition.- Decomposition.- Parasitism and Disease.- Commensalism and Amensalism.- Persistence of Negative Interactions.- References.- Ecosystem Stability.- Background.- A Thermodynam...

Biographie:
9.8 Entropy and Time.- 9.8.1 Time's Speed Regulator.- Efficiency of Energy Transformations.- Passage of Time for Cats.- 9.9The Maximum Power Principle.-9.10 Optimum Efficiencies for a Truck and its Driver.-9.11 Sustainability.- References.- A Thermodynamic View of Succession.- 10.1 The Population View.- 10.2 The Thermodynamic View.- 10.2.1 Leaf Area Index and Succession.- 10.2.2 Power Output as a Function of Leaf Area Index.- 10.2.3 What Causes Changes in Leaf Area Index?.- 10.2.4 Maximum Entropy Production Principle.- 10.2.5 Successional Ecosystems Move Further from Thermodynamic Equilibrium.- 10.2.6 Entropy Storage by Animals.- 10.3 The Strategy of Ecosystem Development.- A Problem with Odum's Strategy.- Why Power Output Continues to Increase.- Revised Definition of Maximum Power.- Costs of Ecosystem Stabilization.- Transactional Costs.- Succession, Power Output, and Efficiency.- 10.5.1 Kleiber's Law.- Are Ecosystems Spendthrifts?.- Interactions Between Species Facilitate Increase in Power Output.- Facilitation.- Tolerance.- Inhibition.- Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis.- Nutrient Use Efficiency during Succession.- Succession Following Logging vs Following Agriculture.-  ...

Sommaire:
9.7 Capturing Pressure.-  ...