RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article T1 Ecological state equation A1 Rodríguez, Ricardo A. A1 Herrera, Ada M. A1 Otto, Rüdiger A1 Delgado, Juan Domingo A1 Fernández-Palacios, José María A1 Arévalo, José Ramón K1 State equation K1 Biodiversity K1 Steady ecosystem K1 Thermodynamics K1 Boltzmann constant K1 Trophic energy K1 ecuación de estado K1 biodiversidad K1 ecosistema invariable K1 termodinámica K1 constante de Boltzman K1 energía trófica AB The direct equivalence between ecology and thermodynamics has not been attained despite acceptedthermodynamic features of the ecosystem. This article explores the homeomorphism between ecologyand statistical mechanics by analysis of ruderal vegetation. In conventional thermostatistical algorithm,the pro-kinetic effect of temperature on molecules was replaced by the anti-kinetic effect of species diversityon biological individuals. The existence of an ecological equivalent of the thermodynamic Boltzmannconstant was empirically verified. From the relationship of this constant with biocenological variables,we derived a probable ecological equation of state under stationary and quasi-stationary conditions. Thisequation of state is homeomorphic with regard to the ideal gas state equation, and it is useful to inferthe value of some biocenological parameters whose direct measurement is difficult, as biomass, energyand dispersal. According to these results, ecosystem assessment from conventional thermostatistics isplausible and empirically verifiable. This approach offers useful analytical tools for the conservation andrestoration of ecosystems. PB Elsevier BV YR 2012 FD 2012 LK http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/18497 UL http://riull.ull.es/xmlui/handle/915/18497 LA en NO Fundación Canaria Rafael Clavijo DS Repositorio institucional de la Universidad de La Laguna RD 28-mar-2024