Survival of the fittest" is a tautology, because those that are "fit" are the ones that survive, but to survive, a species must be "fit". Modern evolutionary theory avoids the problem by defining fitness as reproductive success, but the complexity of life that we see today could not have evolved 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 presents a non-circular definition of fitness and a thermodynamic definition of evolution. Fitness means maximization of power output, necessary to survive in a competitive world. Evolution is the "storage of entropy". "Entropy storage" means that solar energy, instead of dissipating as heat in the Earth, is stored in the structure of living organisms and ecosystems. Part one explains this in terms comprehensible to a scientific audience beyond biophysicists and ecosystem modelers. Part two applies thermodynamic theory in non-esoteric language to sustainability of agriculture, and to conservation of endangered species. While natural systems are stabilized by feedback, agricultural systems remain in a mode of perpetual growth, pressured by balance of trade and by a swelling population. The constraints imposed by thermodynamic laws are being increasingly felt as economic expansion destabilizes resource systems on which expansion depends.

C ontents

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
Species Richness and Functional Stability
Species Richness and Cultural Values
Keystone Species, a