Concepts of Ecosystem Ecology

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

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2. The Ecosystem Perspective

   • Lawrence R. Pomeroy, Eugene C. Hargrove, James J. Alberts

   Pages 1-17

3. The Origin of Ecosystems by Means of Subjective Selection

   • Peter H. Rich

   Pages 19-27

4. The Past, Present, and Future of Ecological Energetics

   • Richard G. Wiegert

   Pages 29-55

5. Freshwater Ecosystems: A Perspective

   • James E. Schindler

   Pages 57-74

6. Achievements and Challenges in Forest Energetics

   • William A. Reiners

   Pages 75-114

7. Abiotic Controls on Primary Productivity and Nutrient Cycles in North American Grasslands

   • Paul G. Risser

   Pages 115-129

8. Grasslands and Savannas: Regulation of Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling by Herbivores

   • James K. Detling

   Pages 131-148

9. Agroecosystems Processes

   • David C. Coleman, Paul F. Hendrix

   Pages 149-170

10. Ocean Basin Ecosystems

    • Richard T. Barber

    Pages 171-193

11. The Cycling of Essential Elements in Coral Reefs

    • Christopher F. D’Elia

    Pages 195-230

12. Coral Reef Energetics

    • William J. Wiebe

    Pages 231-245

13. The Study of Stream Ecosystems: A Functional View

    • Kenneth W. Cummins

    Pages 247-262

14. Energy Flow and Trophic Structure

    • Stuart L. Pimm

    Pages 263-278

15. Scale, Synthesis, and Ecosystem Dynamics

    • H. H. Shugart, D. L. Urban

    Pages 279-289

16. Towards Predictive Models for Coastal Marine Ecosystems

    • Kenneth H. Mann

    Pages 291-316

17. Problems and Challenges in Ecosystem Analysis

    • Lawrence R. Pomeroy, James J. Alberts

    Pages 317-323

18. Back Matter

    Pages 325-384

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In this volume 19 leading experts offer a timely and coherent overview of the fundamental principles of ecosystem science. They examine the flux of energy and biologically essential elements and their associated food webs in major terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands, cultivated land, streams, coral reefs, and ocean basins. In each case, interactions between different eosystems, predictive models, and the application of ecosystem research to the management of natural resources are given special emphasis. A number of theoretical chapters provide a synthesis through critical discussion of current concepts of ecosystem energetics and dynamics.

• agroecosystems
• ecology
• ecosystem
• ecosystem dynamics
• ecosystem ecology
• nutrient cycling
• reefs
• water quality and water pollution

• Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, USA

  Lawrence R. Pomeroy

• Marine Institute, University of Georgia, Sapelo Island, USA

  James J. Alberts

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