REAL-STRUCTURE PROCESS DESCRIPTION AS THE BASIS OF UNDERSTANDING ECOSYSTEMS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT

Behavior and structural dynamics of an ecological system are the product of the interaction of its specific structure with its specific environment. In contrast to descriptive (statistical, black box) models, which are designed to merely mimic behavior, real-structure models can contribute to the understanding of ecosystems, of their emergent properties, of their self-organization and of their future development. A valid real-structure (explanatory, process) model in principle (1) not only allows analysis of the behavioral spectrum even for new environmental conditions, (2) but also permits analysis and prediction of system development and structural dynamics as a consequence of the interaction between system and environment. The key to this additional understanding is the realization that a 'successful' system incorporates processes for coping with the (six) fundamental properties of the environment (normal environmental state, sparse resources, variety, variability, change, partner systems) by (implicit) attention to six basic orientors (existence, effectiveness, freedom of action, security, adaptivity, consideration of other systems). Evaluation of the (relative) satisfaction of each of the basic orientors allows aggregated assessment of system performance and system limitations in a given environment, of coping deficiencies and resulting stress accumulation, of likely behavioral change and structural dynamics.