Does the intermediate disturbance hypothesis comply with thermodynamics?

Jørgensen, S. E. and Padisák, Judit (1996) Does the intermediate disturbance hypothesis comply with thermodynamics? HYDROBIOLOGIA, 323 (1). pp. 9-21. ISSN 0018-8158 (print), 1573-5117 (online)

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Abstract

A unique data set from Keszthely Bay, Lake Balaton has been applied to develop a dynamic structural model able to describe the observed changes in phytoplankton biomass and diversity. We tested whether the model reacts according to the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis and according to the hypothesis that ecosystem reactions attempt to maximize the thermodynamic function exergy under prevailing conditions. If the answer to these tests are confirmatory, it can be considered a support for IDH and for the use of the exergy maximization principle as a general principle to explain ecosystem reactions.

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