Ecodynamics: Towards an evolutionary thermodynamics of ecosystems

This paper collects, with few minor formal changes, two of the latest scientific contributions (Tiezzi, 2006a; Tiezzi et al., 2010) written by Prof. Enzo Tiezzi, where he introduced new concepts and tools to formalize and understand the role of thermodynamics in ecosystems theory. Particular attention is devoted to goal functions, to the relation of matter, energy, space and time and to the interdisciplinary approach connecting thermodynamics and biology. Entropy is discussed as a fundamental goal function in the far from equilibrium framework. The relationship between entropy, as a non-state function, and the state-function energy is stressed and discussed, at the light of the role of information. The theory of probability is also discussed in the light of new theoretical findings related to the role of events, also in terms of entropy and evolutionary thermodynamics. Confined Ontic Open Systems (COOS) represent the latest model proposed by Prof. Tiezzi based on his Ecodynamic theory, evolutionary thermodynamics, Ulanowicz's ontic. The model has a wide range of applications, including ecosystems, ecological economics, urban organization, the supra-molecular structure of water and global biosphere's models. The model is explained in terms of evolutionary thermodynamics and Jorgensen's ecosystems theory. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.