REFERENCE: Kay, J.J., Schneider, E.D., 1992. "Thermodynamics and Measures of Ecosystem Integrity" in Ecological Indicators, Volume 1, D.H. McKenzie, D.E. Hyatt, V.J. Mc Donald (eds.), Proceedings of the International Symposium on Ecological Indicators, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Elsevier, pp.159-182

Thermodynamics and Measures of Ecological Integrity

James J. Kay and Eric Schneider

Abstract

Our basic premise is that the organization of an ecosystem represents a tradeoff between the imperatives of survival and the second law of thermodynamics which necessitates the degradation of energy. Ecosystem organization tends to increase degradation of energy. Measures of ecosystem organization should therefore reflect energy usage and degradation in ecosystems. Measures of energy utilization in the ecosystem food web and by the ecosystem are presented.

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