Hierarchical approaches to ecosystem theory

Abstract The objective of this paper is to discuss essential potentials and limitations of hierarchy theory for ecosystem theory, ecosystem research, and ecosystem modelling. After a discussion of basic system and ecosystem concepts, some fundamental problems of theoretical ecology are presented. In the second part the essentials of hierarchy theory are described and applied to problems of ecosystem theory. The problems and advantages of applying the hierarchy concept to practical research are demonstrated in relation to the major research scheme of the project “ecosystem research in the Bornhoved Lakes region”. Finally, problems of modelling (structural invariances, heterogeneities, extrapolation, coupling of models, limits of validation) are discussed from a hierarchical point of view.

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