The complexity of ecosystems forms perhaps the greatest challenge for natural science. Even the first step to comprehensive analysis, namely a survey of the participating species, often forms a major obstacle. This makes it understandable that ecologists try to abstract general principles from the interrelationships of the multitude of species for use in their efforts to investigate ecosystem dynamics. Such 'unifying concepts' were the main theme of the 'First International Congress of Ecology' organized in The Hague in September 1974 by the International Association of Ecology (INTECOL), under the auspices of the Division of Environmental Biology of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS). This book contains the papers presented at the plenary sessions of the Congress and a summary of the discussions engendered by them. At the Congress over 800 ecologists from many countries, representing diverse disciplines such as limnology, botany, zoology, microbiology, agriculture, met together for a week. The study of ecosystem dynamics depends on mutual understanding and close cooperation, and to stimulate an integrated approach a number of main speakers were invited to contribute papers on notions such as energy flow, productivity, diversity, stability and maturity from different points of view. These invited papers were presented at the morning plenary sessions, followed by discussions.

Springer Book Archives

Session 1 Flow of energy and matter between trophic levels.- E. P. Odum: Diversity as a function of energy flow.- F. H. Rigler: The concept of energy flow and nutrient flow between trophic levels.- D. E. Reichle, R. V. O'Neill & W. F. Harris: Principles of energy and material exchange in ecosystems.- H. Veldkamp: The role of bacteria in energy flow and nutrient cycling.- S. S. Schwarz: The flow of energy and matter between trophic levels (with special reference to the higher levels).- Session 2 Comparative productivity in ecosystems.- F. E. Wielgolaski: Comparative productivity of ecosystems: an introduction.- H. Lieth: Primary productivity in ecosystems: comparative analysis of global patterns.- O. W. Heal & S. F. MacLean Jnr: Comparative productivity in ecosystems -secondary productivity.- L. Ryszkowski: Energy and matter economy of ecosystems.- M. Shilo: Factors involved in dynamics of algal blooms in nature.- Session 3 Diversity, stability and maturity in natural ecosystems.- G. H. Orians: Diversity, stability and maturity in natural ecosystems.- R. Margalef: Diversity, stability and maturity in natural ecosystems.- R. H. May: Stability in ecosystems: some comments.- R. H. Whittaker: The design and stability of some plant communities.- Session 4 Diversity, stability and maturity in ecosystems influenced by human activities.- J. Jacobs: Diversity, stability and maturity in ecosystems influenced by human activities.- J. Harte & D. Levy: On the vulnerability of ecosystems disturbed by man.- M. Alexander: Response of natural microbial communities to human activities.- C. O. Tamm: A short comment.- Session 5 Strategies for management of natural and man-made ecosystems.- J. D. Ovington: Strategies for management of natural and man-made ecosystems.- C. S. Holling & W. C.Clark: Notes towards a science of ecological management.- W. H. L. Allsopp: Management strategies in some problematic tropical fisheries.- E. van der Maarel: Man-made natural ecosystems in environmental management and planning.- O. Soemarwoto: Rural ecology and development in Java.- Author Index.