Abstract
The thermodynamic concept exergy is introduced and proposed as a goal function in ecological models, where it has successfully been applied for the development of structural dynamic models. It is discussed that the concept can be used as a translation of Darwin’s theory to thermodynamics which leads to the formulation of a fourth law of thermodynamic: as a system receives a through-flow of exergy, the system will utilize this exergy to move away from thermodynamic equilibrium. If there are offered more than one pathways to move away from thermodynamic equilibrium the one yielding most stored exergy, i.e., with the most ordered structure or the longest distance to thermodynamic equilibrium by the prevailing conditions, will be selected. It is shown how an approximate and relative value of exergy can be found for a model of an ecosystem, including the information embodied by the organisms in the genes.
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Jørgensen, S.E., Nielsen, S.N. (1998). Thermodynamic Orientors: Exergy as a Goal Function in Ecological Modeling and as an Ecological Indicator for the Description of Ecosystem Development. In: Müller, F., Leupelt, M. (eds) Eco Targets, Goal Functions, and Orientors. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-58769-6_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-58769-6_5
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