Explanations of ecological relationships with energy systems concepts

In order to compare aspects of systems ecology theory, this paper is one of a group by different authors arranged by Sven Jorgensen to explain the quantitative relationships in the same set of recently published papers. Energy concepts were used to identify and explain the results as systems designs and hierarchical structures self organized for maximum empower. To clarify the discussion, each explanation includes an energy systems diagram of the main parts and processes related in the paper, required by the theory, including connections with the controls from the surrounding system-the next larger scale. Whereas most of the papers explain mechanisms and relationships of parts, energy systems diagramming and synthesis shows how these designs are adaptations to increase function on several scales. Human understanding of phenomena is aided by simplified overview models that include the phenomena of special interest and their empower interactions on smaller and larger scales. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.