Abstract
The cycling of materials in natural and semi-natural ecosystems is complex and should only be taken as a model of materials use in human societies with recognition of these complexities. Whilst overall common features can be discerned, in detail there is large variability. This variability is in respect of the relative size of nutrient compartments from ecosystem to ecosystem, the rate of flow between compartments, differences from one element to another and between species of a single element, the degree of overall loss from systems (leakiness under equilibrium and disturbance conditions) and the equilibrium — time interaction of the ecosystem. Analysis of such differences has equal validity in drawing lessons for materials use in human societies as the recognition of the broader generalisations
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Chadwick, M. (1998). Substance flows through environment and society. In: Vellinga, P., Berkhout, F., Gupta, J. (eds) Managing a Material World. Environment & Policy, vol 13. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5125-2_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5125-2_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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