Author(s)

S. E. Jwgensen

Abstract

The recent development toward a consistent ecosystem theory S. E. Jgrgensen The University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark Abstract Several ecosystem theories have been presented during the last 2-3 decades. Lately, it has been possible to unite these theories into a consistent pattern. Intensive discussions at meetings have been the key to the formation of this pattern of ecosystem theories. Another driving factor has been the reformulation of Odum's attributes [I] into three growth or development forms: growth of the biological structure (the biomass), growth of the network (more cycling, more linkages) and the growth of information. An analysis of the growth forms (Jorgensen et a]. [2]) shows that through-flow (power), ascendency and exergy storage are all increasing as a consequence of all three types of growth. However, exergy dissipation, entropy production, specific exergy (exergylbiomass), retention time and the ratio indirectldirect effect only increases or decreases w

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