Integrative Systems Approaches to Natural and Social Dynamics

At the start of the new millennium, mankind is challenged by a paradox: the more we know about the world the more uncertain we become in understanding and predicting how it works. This book presents an outline of a new basis for Systems Science, and a methodology for its application in complex environmental, economic, social, and technological systems.

Contents Foreword H. Haken....................................................... Introduction M. Matthies, H. Malchow, J. Kriz ............................................................ Part I: General Aspects of Systems Science The Dynamics of Knowledge and Ignorance: Learning the New Systems Science P.M. Allen ............................................................ Chaos, Computability, Determinism, and Freedom: A Critical Analysis from a System-Theoretic Point of View T. Leiber ............................................................ The Function of Systems Concepts. From Systems Theory to Systems Science E. Umbach ............................................................ Fuzzy Aspects of Systems Science W. Silvert ............................................................ Part II: Biological Systems On the Phenomenon of Bimodality in Aggregating Pattern Dynamics E. G. DAmbrogio ............................................................ Parameter Estimation in Nonlinear Systems with Dynamic Noise N. Stollenwerk ............................................................ Spatial Pattern Formation in a Simple Model of Consumer-Resource System A. Bobyrev, E. Kriksunov, V. Burmensky, H. Malchow ...................................................... Scaling Laws for the Prey-Predator Interaction Rates Z.-S. Lin, B.-L. Li ............................................................ Active Motion in Systems with Energy Supply W. Ebeling, F. Schweitzer ............................................................ Reconstruction of Human Liver Parenchyma with Computer Program A. Barbieri, R. Dacc, F. Grizzi, N. Dioguardi ............................................................ Part III: Ecological and Environmental Systems Recent Developments in System Ecology S. E. Jrgensen ............................................................ GIS-Based Catchment Modelling M. Matthies, F. Pfäfflin, J. Berlekamp............................................................ Hybrid Low Level Petri Nets in Environmental Modelling - Development Platform and Case Studies R. Seppelt, M.-M. Temme ............................................................ An Empirically Based Approach to Self-Organisation in Forest Ecosystems M. Jenssen ............................................................ Regional-Scale Groundwater Quality: Monitoring and Assessment Using Spatially Referenced Environmental Data S. Fuest, J. Berlekamp, M. Matthies ............................................................ Mathematical Aspects in the Modelling of Urban Environmental Quality I. Fernndez, J. M. Pacheco ............................................................ Elaboration of Systems Hydroecological Monitoring of Aral Sea Basin A. Nasrulin, H. Lieth ............................................................ Information Theoretic Measures for the Maturity of Ecosystems T. Wilhelm, R. Brüggemann ............................................................ Semianalytical Spatial Ranges and Persistences of Non-Polar Chemicals for Reaction- Diffusion Type Dynamics H. Held ............................................................ Part IV: Technology and Risk Assessment The Uncertainties of Risk Communication in Knowledge Societies G. Bechmann, N. Stehr ............................................................ A Dynamic Account of Rational Decision Making under Uncertainty. The Case of Risk Assessment in Hazardous Technological Systems G. Geiger ............................................................ Assessing the Risk of Transgenic Crops - The Role of Scientific Belief Systems J. Wesseler ............................................................ Evaluation Methodology for Fate and Exposure Models S. Schwartz, V. Berding, M. Matthies ............................................................ Quantitative Risk Assessment Applied to Fragmental Rockfall Hazard on a Rock Slope C.