INTRODUCTION The Ecosystem as an Object for Research Introduction Holism versus Reductionism Interpreting Ecosystem Reality Ecosystem Structure Complexity and Self-Organization Energy Flows through the Biosphere Brief History of the Biosphere Conservation Principles Introduction Space Conservation Mass Conservation Energy Conservation: Thermodynamics¿ First Principle Information Energy Dissipation Introduction The Second Principle Dissipative Structures Irreversible Processes Entropy Production A Perspective from Information and Systems Theory Introduction Information: Definition and Measure Thermodynamic Entropy and Shannon¿s Information Solar Energy and Information Ecological Network Analysis Exergy Ecological Processes: An Overview PHYSICAL PROCESSES Space and Time Introduction Scale and Hierarchy Space Delimitation: Boundaries Flows through Open Systems Equilibrium, Stability, and Steady State Mass Transport Introduction Advection and Diffusion Dispersion Mass Balance and Reactors Settling and Resuspension Transport in Porous Media Transport at Interfaces Reaeration Volatilization Transport over Membranes Energetic Factors Introduction Solar Radiation Light Extinction Evapotranspiration Effects of Waves in Aquatic Ecosystems CHEMICAL PROCESSES Chemical Reactions Introduction Chemical Equilibrium Enzymatic Processes Redox Acid¿Base Solutions, Precipitation, and Flocculation Chemical Lysis Introduction Hydrolysis Proteolysis Photolysis Phase Partition Introduction Adsorption and Partition of Organic Compounds Ion Exchange Complex Formation Activities and Activities Coefficients BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES Biogeochemical Cycles Introduction Oxygen Cycle Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions The Carbon Cycle and Biosphere Stability Conditions Nitrogen Cycle Phosphorus Cycle PHOTOSYNTHESIS Growth Introduction The Metabolic Growth Model Allometric Principles Primary Production Introduction Limitation Respiration Nutrient and Metal Uptake Excretion Fixation Mortality Production of Upper Trophic Levels Introduction Grazing Predation Microbial Processes Introduction Microbial Loop The Role of Detritus Biological Decomposition Ecotoxicological Processes Introduction Biodegradation Bioaccumulation, Bioconcentration, and Biomagnification The Equilibrium between Spheres: Partition of Toxic Substances between Air, Water, Soil, and Biota Biological Interactions Introduction Adaptation and Shift in Species¿ Composition Competition Other Biological Interactions Trophic Networks LANDSCAPE PROCESSES Aquatic Ecosystems Introduction Eutrophication Lakes Wetlands, Transitional Water Ecosystems Rivers Open Sea Fishery Terrestrial Ecosystems Introduction Decomposition of Organic Matter in Soil Toxic Substances in Soil Erosion and Leaching Ecosystem Transitions Landscapes and Urban Ecosystems Introduction Landscape Processes Population Growth Environmental Processes and Urban Ecosystems Urban Solid Waste Management The Atmosphere Introduction Atmospheric Pollution by Gases and Particles Modifying the Distribution Patterns Ozone Depletion Henry¿s Law Acidification References Appendix: The Double Logarithmic Representation Index.