Editing Systems theory (section)

====Ecology====
{{Main|Systems ecology}}
Systems ecology is an [[interdisciplinary]] field of [[ecology]] that takes a [[holism|holistic]] approach to the study of [[ecological systems]], especially [[ecosystem]]s;<ref>Shugart, Herman H., and Robert V. O'Neill. "Systems Ecology". Dowden, Hutchingon & Ross, 1979.</ref><ref>Van Dyne, George M. "Ecosystems, Systems Ecology, and Systems Ecologists". ORNL- 3975. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 1966.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Wilkinson|first=David M.|title=Fundamental Processes in Ecology: An Earth Systems Approach|year=2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780198568469|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PFGWHyRyzBwC&q=Fundamental+Processes+in+Ecology:+An+Earth+Systems+Approach|access-date=2020-11-12|archive-date=2024-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421022110/https://books.google.com/books?id=PFGWHyRyzBwC&q=Fundamental+Processes+in+Ecology:+An+Earth+Systems+Approach|url-status=live}}</ref> it can be seen as an application of general systems theory to ecology.

Central to the systems ecology approach is the idea that an ecosystem is a [[complex system]] exhibiting [[emergent properties]]. Systems ecology focuses on interactions and transactions within and between biological and ecological systems, and is especially concerned with the way the functioning of ecosystems can be influenced by human interventions. It uses and extends concepts from [[thermodynamics]] and develops other macroscopic descriptions of complex systems.