Abstract
Information is a common phenomena in the biotic parts of ecosystems. Additional to the intraspecific long term transformation of information by the genetic code, intra- and interspecific relations are determined by information. A wide spectrum of chemical and physical conditions is used as carrier for information. The high variety of information propagation is processed in different ways by organisms. Simple deterministic processing of information are at one end of the potential range, high complex and non linear processing the other end. In comparison to the food webs in ecosystem, the investment of energy in transmission or perception of information is relatively low. However, information is of high relevance for interactions among organisms. Highly evident is the role of information in intraspecific interactions of social organisms. Despite this fact is well documented and supported by several theories, it is still an open question how far emergent characteristics of ecosystems are caused by relations of information. Answers for this question are of high relevance for our understanding of ecosystems functions, and in particular for the functional relevance of biodiversity in ecosystems. It can be demonstrated on a theoretical basis, that information has different functions in ecosystems. Basically, in heterogeneous environments it is an essential precondition for the allocation of resources. For this reason, a high variability of information qualities has to be expected. Because this explanation is not sufficient for multi species systems, the functional relevance of information processes has to be considered. With this extended view it is possible to show the relevance of information for the fitness of organisms. In this analysis, the effects for specific species have to be distinguished from effects for the systems.
Keywords: Information; Ecological Functions; Complexity; Self-Organization, Self-Structurization
Originalsprache | Englisch |
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Titel | International Congress on Modelling and Simulation MODISM 2003 |
Seiten | 777-782 |
Seitenumfang | 6 |
Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 2003 |
Veranstaltung | International Congress on Modelling and Simulation - Dauer: 1 Jan. 2003 → … |
Konferenz
Konferenz | International Congress on Modelling and Simulation |
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Zeitraum | 1/01/03 → … |
Research Field
- Nicht definiert