title: Analysing hierarchy in the organization of biological and physical systems.
abstract: A structured approach is discussed for analysing hierarchy in the organization of biological and physical systems. The need for a structured approach follows from the observation that many hierarchies in the literature apply conflicting hierarchy rules and include ill-defined systems. As an alternative, we suggest a framework that is based on the following analytical steps: determination of the succession stage of the universe, identification of a specific system as part of the universe, specification of external influences on a system's creation and analysis of a system's internal organization. At the end, the paper discusses practical implications of the proposed method for the analysis of system organization and hierarchy in biology, ecology and physics.
authors.affiliation: Wageningen University and Research Centre, Alterra, Centre for Ecosystem Studies P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands. gerard.jagers@wur.nl
authors.forename: Gerard A J M
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jagers op Akkerhuis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001695:Biology; D004602:Elements; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D013598:Systems Theory
chemical_list: D004602:Elements