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.

Preface

Introduction

Part I The Systems and Engineering PerspectiveChapter 1 A Systems Engineer’s PerspectiveChapter 2 More Views on Systems ThinkingChapter 3 The Major Elements of the Systems ApproachChapter 4 Reductionism and Information Loss

Part II A Function-Structure-Process Framework for Ecological System DynamicsChapter 5 Overview of an Ecological System Dynamics FrameworkChapter 6 Regulation/Adaptation: Control Aspects of Ecological SystemsChapter 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 NetworksChapter 9 Network Theory: The Dynamics of Complex NetworksChapter 10 Fundamentals of Nonlinear DynamicsChapter 11 Cellular Automata Investigations and Emerging Complex System PrinciplesChapter 12 Fractals: The Theory of Roughness

Part IV A View of the Characteristics of Ecological Network DynamicsChapter 13 Issues of Human PerceptionChapter 14 The Nature of Order and Complexity in Ecological SystemsChapter 15 Characteristics of Ecological Network Dynamics

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

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

Appendix Selections from the Dynamics Model Programming Code

At Bell Labs, Bill acquired a very significant breadth and depth of systems and engineering knowledge. He made important and innovative contributions to systems thinking and engineering system development. Bill’s global perspective has taken him around the world - supporting the local Bell Labs teams and their clients. He has served as a systems engineering consultant for both executive-level and working-level groups in Japan, England, Malaysia, France, and Canada.

After earning a PhD in Ecology at the University of Georgia’s Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, Bill is now pursuing his goal of beneficially applying the skills, perspectives, methods, and techniques of the systems approach and systems engineering to increase understanding of complex ecological systems.

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