An overview of how complex systems from a variety of fields can be modelled using principles of quantum mechanics; from biology and ecology, to sociology and decision-making. The mathematical basis of these models is fully described, providing a self-contained introduction for students and researchers in applied mathematics or theoretical physics.

Enlarged 2nd edition The infusion of quantum theoretical principles allows the study focus of ecological energetics to shift from the conventional calorific (trophic) flow in ecosystems to the potential energy structure of the vegetation. The books contents cover the theory and techniques in a unique account centred on the energy equation. The equation's component terms define energy footprints specific to ecology's basic processes, such as historic phylogeny, current environmental mediation of transience, and chance. What gives practical value to the energy equation is its ability to be parameterised by the usual type of survey or experimental data.

Explains the phenomena that classical physics could not explain but quantum physics could, the photoelectric effect and line spectra.

Hanjo Berressem establishes the notion of a schizoanalytic ecology as the most consistent conceptual spine of Félix Guattari's work. He covers the whole range of Guattari's solo work and the books co-authored with Gilles Deleuze, primarily a rigorous explication and analysis of 'Schizoanalytic Cartographies'.

The revised edition of this bestselling textbook provides latest and detailed account of vital topics in biology, namely, Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Evolution and Ecology . The treatment is very exhaustive as the book devotes exclusive parts to each topic, yet in a simple, lucid and concise manner. Simplified and well labelled diagrams and pictures make the subject interesting and easy to understand. It is developed for students of B.Sc. Pass and Honours courses, primarily. However, it is equally useful for students of M.Sc. Zoology, Botany and Biosciences. Aspirants of medical entrance and civil services examinations would also find the book extremely useful.

The groundbreaking Encyclopedia of Ecology provides an authoritative and comprehensive coverage of the complete field of ecology, from general to applied. It includes over 500 detailed entries, structured to provide the user with complete coverage of the core knowledge, accessed as intuitively as possible, and heavily cross-referenced. Written by an international team of leading experts, this revolutionary encyclopedia will serve as a one-stop-shop to concise, stand-alone articles to be used as a point of entry for undergraduate students, or as a tool for active researchers looking for the latest information in the field. Entries cover a range of topics, including: Behavioral Ecology Ecological Processes Ecological Modeling Ecological Engineering Ecological Indicators Ecological Informatics Ecosystems Ecotoxicology Evolutionary Ecology General Ecology Global Ecology Human Ecology System Ecology The first reference work to cover all aspects of ecology, from basic to applied Over 500 concise, stand-alone articles are written by prominent leaders in the field Article text is supported by full-color photos, drawings, tables, and other visual material Fully indexed and cross referenced with detailed references for further study Writing level is suited to both the expert and non-expert Available electronically on ScienceDirect shortly upon publication

Ecosystems are still a puzzle for mankind. We would like to be able to know their reactions and control them, but repeatedly we have been surprised by their unexpected reactions to our somewhat hasty actions. We unfortunately have to admit that our present knowledge about ecosystems and their true nature is rather limited. Many excellent contributions to a more profound understanding of ecosystems have been launched during the last two decades, but if you do not know the field, it looks as if all the presented ecosystem theories are in complete discord with each other. However, ecosystems are extremely complex and only a pluralistic view will be able to reveal their basic properties. The different approaches therefore have much in common, when you go deeper into the core material, than the first superficial more glance will be able to tell and there is therefore a natural need for a unification of the various approaches to ecosystem theories. It has for many years been my desire to attempt to make a unification of the many excellent thoughts, ideas and observations about ecosystems, that scientists have contributed. These thoughts, ideas and hypotheses have not been made in vain.

The global ecological crisis is the greatest challenge humanity has ever had to confront, and humanity is failing. The triumph of the neo-liberal agenda, together with a debauched ‘scientism’, has reduced nature and people to nothing but raw materials, instruments and consumers to be efficiently managed in a global market dominated by corporate managers, media moguls and technocrats. The arts and the humanities have been devalued, genuine science has been crippled, and the quest for autonomy and democracy undermined. The resultant trajectory towards global ecological destruction appears inexorable, and neither governments nor environmental movements have significantly altered this, or indeed, seem able to. The Philosophical Foundations of Ecological Civilization is a wide-ranging and scholarly analysis of this failure. This book reframes the dynamics of the debate beyond the discourses of economics, politics and techno-science. Reviving natural philosophy to align science with the humanities, it offers the categories required to reform our modes of existence and our institutions so that we augment, rather than undermine, the life of the ecosystems of which we are part. From this philosophical foundation, the author puts forth a manifesto for transforming our culture into one which could provide an effective global environmental movement and provide the foundations for a global ecological civilization.

In the course of more than twenty works François Laruelle has developed one of the most singular and unique ways of thinking within contemporary philosophy. This volume develops the style of his late work, which has sought to combine the idioms of diverse areas (from the language of quantum mechanics to theology, messianism and Gnosticism) to create non-standard philosophical fictions which further articulate his thinking of radical immanence in relation to wide-ranging themes and concerns. The focus here is a reassessment of his attempt to rethink what it means to be human. Much of that work has taken place through an engagement with science, politics and religion, but now we see Laruelle confronting the challenge of ecology for his kind of humanism (which he would call a 'non-humanism', meaning a non-standard humanism). This challenge is one of thinking of the ethical demands of other entities within a general ecology. Namely the lives of plants and other vegetation alongside that of animals. Dealing with the intersections between science and philosophy in current French thought, this book is of particular interest to those concerned with the philosophical innovation and renewal of ecological thought that have influenced ecological theory. The first English translation of a key work from this highly original experimental philosopher, it will surely help cement his place in the firmament of avant-garde French thinkers, from Derrida and Deleuze to Badiou.

The environmental analysis of pollution problems always involves the use of mass and energy balances to quantify the extent of pollution and its sources. This same form of analysis can be applied to ecosystems, production systems, a whole country or a region. A Systems Approach to the Environmental Analysis of Pollution Minimization identifies and describes the common factors shared by these systems. The book is organized in twelve chapters and progresses from general concepts to specific assessment methods. Chapter one is a general introduction to environmental management principles. Chapter two discusses conservation principles and their applications to environmental health. Chapters three and four explore ecosystem health, properties and analysis. Chapters five through eleven present different methods of analysis including Green Accounting, Clean Technology, Life Cycle Analysis, and Risk Assessment. Editor Sven Jorgensen closes the book with a sweeping summary. Jorgensen is a internationally published authority on the use and analysis of ecosystem models. His new book is a comprehensive guide for both students and professionals. A Systems Approach to the Environmental Analysis of Pollution Minimization is an invaluable contribution. Features