The Dynamic Nature of Ecosystems: Chaos and Order Entwined / Edition 1

by Claudia Pahl-Wostl

Overview

The author presents the argument that it is the trade-off between the irregular, chaotic dynamics at the level of populations and the spatio-temporal organization at the level of the system as a whole that shapes ecological systems. This book combines the topics of theoretical analysis, natural science, philosophy and fundamental ecology in a synthetic treatment. Outlines a coherent framework to delineate the internal structure of ecological networks along the dimensions of time, space and function in the network context. Introduces mathematical tools to describe and quantify the functional importance of spatial and temporal patterns in ecological networks for ecosystem organization.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471955702
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	07/05/1995
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.85(d)

About the Author

Claudia Pahl-Wostl is the author of The Dynamic Nature of Ecosystems: Chaos and Order Entwined , published by Wiley.

Table of Contents

Setting the Stage.

Ideas of Stability and Equilibrium in Ecological Thought.

Evolution and Ecology.

Spatio-Temporal Organization.

(Spatio-) Temporal Organization in Simple Communities.

On How to Delineate the Structure of Ecological Networks.

Attempt at a Synthesis and Some Speculations.

Appendices.

References.

Index.

Editorial Reviews

Addresses the question of how ecosystems combine function and adaptability despite comprising large ensembles of individual populations that are not subject to any central control, by replacing the prevailing static view of the balance of nature with a more dynamic perspective. Argues that ecological systems are shaped by the trade-off between the irregular, chaotic dynamics at the population level and the spatio-temporal organization of the system as a whole. Concludes that uncertainty is an integral part of ecological systems rather than a barrier of obscurity that can be peeled, and that the issue may not answer to a purely biological analysis. The significance of the sometimes complex mathematics is explained in the text, so readers can skip the equations if they want. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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