Understanding Complex Ecosystem Dynamics: A Systems and Engineering Perspective

Understanding Complex Ecosystem Dynamics: A Systems and Engineering Perspective takes a fresh, interdisciplinary perspective on complex system dynamics, beginning with a discussion of relevant systems and engineering skills and practices, including an explanation of the systems approach and its major elements. From this perspective, the author formulates an ecosystem dynamics functionality-based framework to guide ecological investigations.

Next, because complex system theory (across many subject matter areas) is crucial to the work of this book, relevant network theory, nonlinear dynamics theory, cellular automata theory, and roughness (fractal) theory is covered in some detail. This material serves as an important resource as the book proceeds. In the context of all of the foregoing discussion and investigation, a view of the characteristics of ecological network dynamics is constructed. This view, in turn, is the basis for the central hypothesis of the book, i.e., ecological networks are ever-changing networks with propagation dynamics that are punctuated, local-to-global, and perhaps most importantly fractal. To analyze and fully test this hypothesis, an innovative ecological network dynamics model is defined, designed, and developed. The modeling approach, which seeks to emulate features of real-world ecological networks, does not make a priori assumptions about ecological network dynamics, but rather lets the dynamics develop as the model simulation runs. Model analysis results corroborate the central hypothesis. Additional important insights and principles are suggested by the model analysis results and by the other supporting investigations of this book – and can serve as a basis for going-forward complex system dynamics research, not only for ecological systems but for complex systems in general.

Provides a fresh interdisciplinary perspective, offers a broad integrated development, and contains many new ideasClearly explains the elements of the systems approach and applies them throughout the bookTakes on the challenging and open issues of complex system network dynamicsDevelops and utilizes a new, innovative ecosystem dynamics modeling approachContains over 135 graphic illustrations to help the reader visualize and understand important concepts

Preface

Introduction

Part I The Systems and Engineering Perspective Chapter 1 A Systems Engineer’s Perspective Chapter 2 More Views on Systems Thinking Chapter 3 The Major Elements of the Systems Approach Chapter 4 Reductionism and Information Loss

Part II A Function-Structure-Process Framework for Ecological System Dynamics Chapter 5 Overview of an Ecological System Dynamics Framework Chapter 6 Regulation/Adaptation: Control Aspects of Ecological Systems Chapter 7 Evolution and Universal Development Concepts

Part III Complex Systems Theory: Networks, Nonlinear Dynamics, Cellular Automata, and Fractals (Roughness) Chapter 8 Network Theory: The Structure of Complex Networks Chapter 9 Network Theory: The Dynamics of Complex Networks Chapter 10 Fundamentals of Nonlinear Dynamics Chapter 11 Cellular Automata Investigations and Emerging Complex System Principles Chapter 12 Fractals: The Theory of Roughness

Part IV A View of the Characteristics of Ecological Network Dynamics Chapter 13 Issues of Human Perception Chapter 14 The Nature of Order and Complexity in Ecological Systems Chapter 15 Characteristics of Ecological Network Dynamics

Part V Modeling Ecological Network Dynamics and the Generation and Analysis of Results Chapter 16 A New Approach to Modeling Ecological Network Dynamics Chapter 17 Model Software Design and Development Chapter 18 Ecological Network Dynamics Results

Part VI Pulling It All Together Chapter 19 An Increased Understanding of Complex System Dynamics

Appendix Selections from the Dynamics Model Programming Code