Network environ analysis: A mathematical basis for describing indirect effects in ecosystems

dc.contributor.author	Gattie, DK	en
dc.contributor.author	Tollner, EW	en
dc.contributor.author	Foutz, TL	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-06-06T06:46:16Z
dc.date.available	2014-06-06T06:46:16Z
dc.date.issued	2005	en
dc.identifier.issn	00012351	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://62.217.125.90/xmlui/handle/123456789/2887
dc.relation.uri	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-26844495743&partnerID=40&md5=a0ce452af3f94ab6239e6f9b4cf73ead	en
dc.subject	Ecological engineering	en
dc.subject	Ecosystem	en
dc.subject	Environ theory	en
dc.subject	Indirect effects	en
dc.subject	Network analysis	en
dc.subject.other	Computational methods	en
dc.subject.other	Computer simulation	en
dc.subject.other	Ecology	en
dc.subject.other	Environmental impact	en
dc.subject.other	Mathematical models	en
dc.subject.other	Ecological engineering	en
dc.subject.other	Environ theory	en
dc.subject.other	Indirect effects	en
dc.subject.other	Network analysis	en
dc.subject.other	Network environ analysis (NEA)	en
dc.subject.other	Ecosystems	en
dc.subject.other	conceptual framework	en
dc.subject.other	ecological engineering	en
dc.subject.other	numerical method	en
dc.title	Network environ analysis: A mathematical basis for describing indirect effects in ecosystems	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.publicationDate	2005	en
heal.abstract	A mathematical basis for describing and analyzing holistic properties of ecosystems based on a fundamental theory of systems ecology, environ theory, is presented. The analytical methodology, network environ analysis (NEA), is introduced as a quantitative approach for ecological network analysis using a conceptual five-compartment steady-state model simulating the flow of a conserved tracer in an ecosystem. Throughflow, total system throughflow, and environ flow are presented as properties for analysis of ecosystems as networks. Quantitative information is generated for ten intercompartmental relationships within the network model for which no information is available from the simulated data. Results indicate that these ten relationships are indirect and account for 41.8% of total system throughflow in the network. In addition, the fate of system-level inputs in terms of environ flows and boundary exchanges give mathematical description of properties and relationships that are not observable based on the simulated data alone. It is proposed that a quantitative description of non-observable, indirect relationships should be developed in order for ecosystems to be designed and managed as interconnected, holistic systems, and that NEA offers promise in that direction. © 2005 American Society of Agricultural Engineers.	en
heal.journalName	Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers	en
dc.identifier.issue	4	en
dc.identifier.volume	48	en
dc.identifier.spage	1645	en
dc.identifier.epage	1652	en