Evolution from a Thermodynamic Perspective

Evolution from a Thermodynamic Perspective

从热力学角度演化：对物种保护与农业可持续性的影响
生态学

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作者

Carl F Jordan

出版社

Springer Berlin Heidelberg

出版时间

2021年10月14日

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ＩＳＢＮ

9783030851859

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语种

英文

版次

2021

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“Survival of the fittest” is a tautology. To survive, a species must reproduce. To reproduce, a species must survive. The complexity of life that we see today could not have developed based on selection that favors only reproductive ability. There is nothing inherent in reproductive success alone that could result in higher forms of life. Evolution from a Thermodynamic Perspective, divided into two parts, offers a non-circular definition of fitness and evolution. Fitness means maximization of power output, necessary to survive in a competitive world. Evolution means “storage of entropy”. Despite entropy, there is an increase in the intricate structure and function of both species and ecosystems as they evolve simultaneously and reciprocally. It is autocatalysis in the feedback between species and ecosystems that enables the increase in power output necessary for evolution of higher forms of life. Part One explains why in language comprehensible to a scientific audience beyond biophysicists and ecosystem modelers.While natural systems are stabilized by feedback, economic systems remain in a mode of perpetual growth, pressured externally by balance of trade and internally by a swelling population. The constraints imposed by thermodynamic laws are being increasingly felt as economic expansion destabilizes resource systems on which expansion depends. Part Two applies thermodynamic theory in non-esoteric language to sustainability of agriculture, and to conservation of endangered species.

Contents.- Part 1. Theory.- To Understand Economics, Follow the Money: To Understand Ecosystems, Follow the Energy.- Two Views of Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation.- Why I Wrote this Book.- Dualities Still Impede Conservation Efforts.- The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform of Biodiversity.- Targets for Conservation.- Evolving Objectives.- Literature Review.- Updating Ecosystem Ecology.- References.- What Can We Learn by Studying Ecosystems that We Can’t Learn from Studying Populations?.- The Predator-Prey Conundrum.- The Serengeti Ecosystem.- Evolution in the “Ecological Theater”.- Predator-Prey Interactions Tell Only Part of the Story.- Evolution in the “Thermodynamic Theater”.- References.- A Thermodynamic Definition of Ecosystems.- Ecosystems in the 20th Century.- Cycling of Strontium-90.- Cesium-137 in Food Chains.- Recycling of Isotopes in Norwegian Sheep.- Ecological Energetics.- Is it Time to Bury the Ecosystem Concept?.- A Thermodynamic Definition of Life.- A Thermodynamic Definition of Ecosystems.- The Phase Transition between Order and Chaos.- References.- Thermodynamic Characteristics of Ecosystems.- Equilibrium.- The Equilibrium Law.- Thermodynamic Equilibrium.- Open Thermodynamic Systems.- Ecosystems are Thermodynamically Open Non-Equilibrium Systems.- Work is Performed by Non-equilibrium Systems.- Advantage of a Thermodynamically Open System.- 4.3 Ecosystems are Entropic.- 4.4 Ecosystems are Cybernetic.- Cybernetic Systems.- Economic Systems are Cybernetic Ecosystems are Cybernetic.- The Ecosystem Feedback Function.- Indirect vs. Direct Feedback.- Deviation Dampening and Amplifying Feedback.- Set Points.- Ecosystems are Autocatalytic.- Ecosystems have Boundaries.- Ecosystems are Hierarchical.- Hierarchy in Physical Systems.- Hierarchy in Ecological Systems.- Common Currencies.- Macro-and Micro-System Models.- Why an Ecosystem Model that Includes Everything is not Possible.- A Nested Marine Community.- Ecosystems are Deterministic.- Ecosystems are Information Rich.- An Engineering Definition of Information.- Information to Facilitate Exchange.- High Energy Information.- Low Energy Information.- Information Theory.- Genetic Information.- Ecosystems are Non-Teleological.- Criticisms of Ecosystem Models.- References.- Ecosystem Control: A Top-Down View.- Two Ways to Look at Systems.- Composing and Decomposing Trophic Webs.- Decomposers in Soil Organic Matter.- Decomposers in Marshes and Mangroves.- Control of Systems.- Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up.- Top-Down Exogenous Control.- Exogenous Impacts and Stability.- Top-Down Endogenous Control.- Endogenous Control through Nutrient Recycling.- Autocatalysis.- Control of Microbial Activity.- Inhibition of Microbial Activity by Leaf Sclerophylly.- Inhibition of Microbial Activity Chemical Defenses.- Inhibition of Microbial Activity by Ecological Stoichiometry.- The Synchrony Principle.- The Decay Law.- Direct Nutrient Cycling.- The Role of Animals.- Indirect Interactions.- Marine Systems.- Nutrient and Energy Recycling.- Exogenous Control.- Control in Lakes.- Control in Managed Ecosystems.- References.- Ecosystem Control: A Bottom-Up View.- Species as Arbitrageurs of Energy.- Relation Between Rate of Flow and Mass in Hydraulic Systems.- Relation Between Population Biomass and Rate of Energy Flow.- Equilibrium.- Mechanisms of Adjustment.- Adjustments and Climate Change.- Bird Populations.- Dis-equilibrium.- Population Instability vs. Ecosystem Instability.- Control by Interactions: Direct vs. Indirect.- Indirect Interactions.- Direct Interactions.- Predator – Prey.- Mutualisms.- Competition.- Decomposition.- Parasitism and Disease.- Commensalism and Amensalism.- Persistence of Negative Interactions.- References.- Ecosystem Stability.- Background.- A Thermodynamic Definition.- Regime Shift.- Metastability.- Pulsed Stability.- Resistance and Resilience.- Sp

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