Quantitative criteria for estimation of natural and artificial ecosystems functioning

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Ecosystem Science
• Biogeochemistry

Background:

• Natural and artificial ecosystems share functional similarities in substance turnover but differ structurally.
• Quantitative criteria are needed to assess the efficiency of artificial ecosystems (AES) based on their specific objectives (e.g., space applications require criteria like mass, power, and reliability).
• Determining quantitative criteria for natural ecosystem functioning is also a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish quantitative criteria for evaluating the efficiency of both natural and artificial ecosystems.
• To develop a main universal criterion (MUC) applicable across different ecosystem levels.

Main Methods:

• A hierarchical approach was employed to analyze biosystems at population, community, and ecosystem levels.
• Energy flux principles were utilized to estimate functional activities.
• The ratio of CO2 photoassimilation rate (approximated by Net Primary Production - NPP) to the total mass of limiting substrate was proposed as the MUC.

Main Results:

• A main universal criterion (MUC) was developed, defined as the ratio of energy flux used by the ecosystem (E(USED), estimated by NPP) to the limiting substrate mass.
• This MUC quantifies the specific cycling rate of limiting chemical elements and overall ecosystem effectiveness.
• The approach is applicable to all ecosystems, including the global biosphere.

Conclusions:

• The proposed MUC provides a generalized method for assessing ecosystem function and efficiency.
• Comparative analysis of quantitative criteria is crucial for both theoretical ecological understanding and practical applications.
• This framework aids in optimizing artificial ecosystem design and understanding natural system dynamics.