Flips and SOHO systems and the ecosystem approach: A presentation
James J. Kay
© COPYRIGHT 1999
A short summary.
I. Flips between phases in ecological systems
Oligotrophic/ eutrophic phase diagram
Lake flips (after Scheffer)
Implications of flips
II. About Hierarchies:
The example of the Huron Natural Area
III. Properties of Complex Systems that relate to ecosystems:
List of Properties
IV. Self-organizing Holarchic Open (SOHO) Systems Model (Our understanding of flips etc. as summarized by the SOHO system model.)
(This section was developed in close collaboration with Michelle Boyle and Henry Regier.)
The elements of a Self-organizing Holarchic Open Systems (SOHO) description (This is a formal definition of terms which are explained by example in the following pages.)
The SOHO model
Societal system in an ecological context
Holarchic structure of the natural-societal ecosystem
The Biosphere as a Self-organizing Holarchic Open System
Narratives and Self-organizing Holarchic Open Systems descriptions.
Ecosystem Integrity from a Self-organizing Holarchic Open Systems perspective.
V. A Framework for an Adaptive Ecosystem Approach to Sustainability.
A short description.
The approach.
The elaboration of the ecosystem approach is the subject of:
Kay. J., Regier, H., Boyle, M. and Francis, G. 1999. "An Ecosystem Approach for Sustainability: Addressing the Challenge of Complexity" Futures Vol 31, #7, Sept. 1999, pp.721-742.
Kay. J., Regier, H., 2000. "Uncertainty, Complexity, And Ecological Integrity: Insights from an Ecosystem Approach", in P. Crabbe, A. Holland, L. Ryszkowski and L. Westra (eds), Implementing Ecological Integrity: Restoring Regional and Global Environmental and Human Health, Kluwer, NATO Science Series, Environmental Security pp. 121-156.
Kay. J. 2000. "Ecosystems as Self-organizing Holarchic Open Systems : Narratives and the Second Law of Thermodynamics" in Sven Erik Jorgensen, Felix Muller (eds), Handbook of Ecosystems Theories and Management, CRC Press - Lewis Publishers. pp 135-160
Boyle, M., Kay. J., and Pond, B., 2001. Monitoring in Support of Policy: an Adaptive Ecosystem Approach, in Munn, T., (editor in chief), Vol.4 Encylopedia of Global Environmental Change, London, John Wiley and Son. pp.116-137.
Kay. J., Regier, H., 1999. "An Ecosystem Approach to Erie's Ecology" in M. Munawar, T.Edsall, I.F. Munawar, (eds), International Symposium. The State of Lake Erie (SOLE) - Past, Present and Future. A tribute to Drs. Joe Leach & Henry Regier, Backhuys Academic Publishers, Netherlands, pp.511-533
Updated 27 December, 1999
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