An Introduction to Complex Systems : Society, Ecology, and Nonlinear Dynamics / by Paul Fieguth.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fieguth, Paul, Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

System theory.

Dynamics.

Nonlinear theories.

Physical geography.

Ecology.

Game theory.

Complex Systems.

Applied Dynamical Systems.

Earth System Sciences.

Environmental Sciences.

Game Theory.

Local Subjects:

Complex Systems.

Applied Dynamical Systems.

Earth System Sciences.

Environmental Sciences.

Game Theory.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (XII, 346 p. 243 illus., 178 illus. in color.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2017.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2017.

Summary:

This undergraduate text explores a variety of large-scale phenomena - global warming, ice ages, water, poverty - and uses these case studies as a motivation to explore nonlinear dynamics, power-law statistics, and complex systems. Although the detailed mathematical descriptions of these topics can be challenging, the consequences of a system being nonlinear, power-law, or complex are in fact quite accessible. This book blends a tutorial approach to the mathematical aspects of complex systems together with a complementary narrative on the global/ecological/societal implications of such systems. Nearly all engineering undergraduate courses focus on mathematics and systems which are small scale, linear, and Gaussian. Unfortunately there is not a single large-scale ecological or social phenomenon that is scalar, linear, and Gaussian. This book offers students insights to better understand the large-scale problems facing the world and to realize that these cannot be solved by a single, narrow academic field or perspective. Instead, the book seeks to emphasize understanding, concepts, and ideas, in a way that is mathematically rigorous, so that the concepts do not feel vague, but not so technical that the mathematics get in the way. The book is intended for undergraduate students in a technical domain such as engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, and environmental studies.

Contents:

1 Introduction

2 Global Warming and Climate Change

Further Reading

3 Systems Theory

3.1 Systems & Boundaries

3.2 Systems & Thermodynamics.-3.3 Systems of Systems

Case Study 3: Nutrient Flows, Irrigation, and Desertification

Sample Problems

4 Dynamic Systems

4.1 System State

4.2 Randomness

4.3 Analysis

4.3.1 Correlation

4.3.2 Stationarity

4.3.3 Transformations

Case Study 4: Water Levels of the Oceans and Great Lakes

5 Linear Systems

5.1 Linearity

5.2 Modes

5.3 System Coupling

5.4 Dynamics

5.5 Non-Normal Systems

Case Study 5: System Decoupling

6 Nonlinear Dynamic Systems – Uncoupled

6.1 Simple Dynamics

6.2 Bifurcations

6.3 Hysteresis and Catastrophes

6.4 System Behaviour near Folds

6.5 Overview

Case Study 6: Climate and Hysteresis

7 Nonlinear Dynamic Systems – Coupled.-7.1 Linearization

7.2 2D Nonlinear Systems

7.3 Limit Cycles and Bifurcations

Case Study 7: Geysers, Earthquakes, and Limit Cycles

8 Spatial Systems

8.1 PDEs

8.2 PDEs & Earth Systems

8.3 Discretization

8.4 Spatial Continuous-State Models

8.5 Spatial Discrete-State Models

8.6 Agent Models

Case Study 8: Global circulation models

9 Power Laws and Non-Gaussian Systems

9.1 The Gaussian Distribution 9.2 The Exponential Distribution

9.3 Heavy Tailed Distributions

9.4 Sources of Power Laws

9.5 Synthesis and Analysis of Power Laws

Case Study 9: Power Laws in Social Systems

10 Complex Systems

10.1 Spatial Nonlinear Models

10.2 Self-Organized Criticality

10.3 Emergence

10.4 Complex Systems of Systems

Case Study 10: Complex Systems in Nature

11 Observation & Inference

11.1 Forward Models

11.2 Remote Measurement

11.3 Resolution.-11.4 Inverse Problems

Case Study 11A: Sensing— Synthetic Aperture Radar

Case Study 11B: Inversion— Atmospheric Temperature

12 Water.-12.1 Ocean Acidification

12.2 Ocean Garbage

12.3 Groundwater

Case Study 12: Satellite Remote Sensing of the Ocean

13 Concluding Thoughts

Part I Appendices

Index.

Notes:

Includes index.

ISBN:

3-319-44606-1

OCLC:

1066190563