A Study on Ascendency of Estuary Ecosystem

Abstract:

Ascendency theory which is developed by Ulanowicz is an index of activity and organization in living systems and is about to quantify the whole-system status. Being calculated in terms of flows, the ascendency is used to quantify the eutrophication of the ecosystem. However, when network magnitudes and topologies are changed from non-eutrophic to strongly eutrophic, the ascendency which is calculated in terms of flows of simple energy is relatively insensitive to such changes. However, when the flows are measured in terms of eco-exergy, it is more advisable. The ascendancies of two different trophic levels which are non-eutrophic and strongly eutrophic are calculated on simple energy and eco-exergy respectively. The analysis of ascendency about the two different trophic levels also proves that ascendency is more sensitive when based on eco-exergy than on simple energy. The ascendency based on eco-exergy is more appropriate to quantify the ecosystem status.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 807-809)
• Pages: 1866-1869
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.807-809.1866
• Online since: September 2013
• Authors: Yi Xin Xu, Hua Yong Zhang, Fei Li, Lu Han, Xiang Xu
• Keywords: Ascendency, Eco-Exergy, Estuary, Eutrophication, Network Analysis

References

[1] R.E. Ulanowicz: J Theorboil. Vol. 85 (1980), pp.223-245.

[2] R.E. Ulanowicz: Ascendency: a measure of ecosystem performance(Lewis Publishers, BocaRaton2000).

[3] D. Baird and R. E. Ulanowicz: EcolMonogr. Vol. 59 (1989), pp.329-364.

[4] E. Halfon,N. Schitoand R. E. Ulanowicz: Ecol Model. Vol. 86 (1996), pp.1-36.

[5] M. Wolff,H. J. Hartmann and V. Koch: Rev Biol Trop. Vol. 44 (1996), pp.215-231.

[6] J. J. Heymans and D. Baird: EcolModel. Vol. 126 (2000), pp.9-32.

[7] S. Ray, R. E. Ulanowicz, N. C. Majeeand A. B. Roy: J Biol Syst. Vol. 8 (2000), pp.263-278.

[8] D. Baird and J. J. Heymans: Water SA. Vol. 22 (1996). pp.307-318.

[9] J. Almunia,G. Basterretxea, J. Aristeguiand R. E. Ulanowicz: Estuar Coast Shelf S. Vol. 49 (1999), pp.363-384.

[10] R. Constanza: Toward an operational definition ofecosystem health (Island Press, Washington D. C 1992).

[11] J. Patrıcio,R. E. Ulanowicz, M. A. Pardal and J.C. Marques: Estuar Coast Shelf S. Vol. 60 (2004), pp.23-25.

[12] J. Patricio, R. E. Ulanowicz, M. A. Pardal and J.C. Marques: Hydrobiologia. Vol. 555 (2006), pp.19-30.

[13] J. J. Heymans and D. Baird: Estuar Coast Shelf S. Vol. 41 (1995), pp.39-59.

[14] M. E. Monaco and R. E. Ulanowicz: Mar EcolProg Ser. Vol. 161 (1997), pp.239-254.

[15] S.E. Jørgensen and R. E. Ulanowicz: Ecol Model. Vol. 220 (2009), pp.1893-1896.

[16] S.E. Jørgensen: Integration of Ecosystem Theories: A Pattern (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands 1992).

[17] S.E. Jørgensen: Ecol Complex. Vol. 7 (2010) No. 3, pp.311-313.

[18] J.C. Marques, M.A. Pardal, S.N. Nielsen and S.E. Jørgensen: Ecol Model. Vol. 102 (1997), pp.155-167.

[19] F.L. Xu: Ecol Model. Vol. 99 (1997) No. 1, pp.41-49.

[20] F.L. Xu,S.E. Jørgensen and S. Tao: Ecol Model. Vol. 116 (1999) No. 1, pp.77-106.

[21] S.E. Jørgensen: AquatEcosyst Health. Vol. 3 (2000) No. 3, pp.419-430.

[22] S.E. Jørgensen and S.N. Nielsen: Energy. Vol. 32 (2007) No. 5, pp.673-685.

[23] R.E. Ulanowicz: Ecology, the Ascendent Perspective (ColumbiaUniversity Press, New York 1997).

[24] S.E. Jørgensen, N. Ladegaard, M. Debeljak and J. C. Marques: Ecol Model. Vol. 185 (2005), pp.165-175.