Handbook of Ecosystem Theories and Management

Preface. Fundamentals and Empirical Foundations. Ecosystems as Complex Systems. Ecosystem Structure. Ecosystems as Functional Entities. Uncertainty in Ecology and Ecological Modeling. Fundamentals of Ecosystem Theory from General Systems Analysis. Ecosystem Research. Ecological Modeling: Systems Analysis and Simulation. Different Approaches in Recent Ecosystem Theory. A General Outline of Thermodynamic Approached to Ecosystem Theory. Ecosystems as Self-Organizing Holarchic Open Systems: Narratives and the Second Law of Thermodynamics. The Tentative Fourth Law of Thermodynamics. Ecosystems as Subjects of Self-Organizing Processes. Emergent Properties of Ecosystems. Ecosystems as Information Systems. Ecosystems as Cybernetic Systems. Ecosystems as Hierarchical Systems. Ecosystems as Energetic Systems. Ascendancy: A Measure of Ecosystem Performance. Ecosystems as Dynamic Networks. Ecosystem Theory: Network Environ Analysis. Stability Concepts in Ecology. Resilience in Ecological Systems. Continuity and Discontinuity in Ecological Systems. Ecosystems as Chaotic Systems. Ecosystems as States of Ecological Successions. Ecosystems on the Landscape: The Role of Space in Ecosystem Theory. Towards a Unifying Theory. Application of Ecosystem Theoretical Aspects. Conservation Biology. Applications of Ecological Theory and Modeling to Assess Ecosystem Health. Hedging Our Bets: The Utility of Ecological Integrity. Sustainability: Application of Systems Theoretical Aspects to Societal Development. Ecological Engineering. Ecosystems and Economic Theories in Ecological Economics. Ecological Orientors: A Path to Environmental Applications of Ecosystem Theories.