Emergy - Uses of Methodology

Uses of Methodology

The recognition of the relevance of energy to the growth and dynamics of all complex systems has resulted in increased emphasis on methods of environmental evaluation that can account for and interpret the effects of matter and energy flows, at all scales in systems of humanity and nature. The following table lists some general areas in which the emergy methodology has been employed.

Table 4. Fields of Study and Emergy Evalautions

Emergy and ecosystems Self-organization ( Aquatic and marine ecosystems Food webs and hierarchies Ecosystem health Forest ecosystems ( Complexity Biodiversity

Emergy and Information Diversity and information Culture, Education, University

Emergy and Agriculture Food production, agriculture Livestock production Agriculture and society Soil erosion

Emergy and energy sources and carriers Fossil fuels ( Renewable and nonrenewable electricity Hydroelectric dams Biofuels Hydrogen

Emergy and the Economy National and international analyses ( Trade Environmental accounting Development policies Sustainability Tourism (

Emergy and cities Spatial organization and urban development Urban metabolism Transportation modes

Emergy and landscapes Spatial empower, Land development indicators Emergy in landforms Watersheds

Emergy and ecological engineering Restoration models Reclamation projects Artificial Ecosystems: wetlands, pond Waste treatment

Emergy, material flows and recycling Mining and minerals processing Industrial production, ecodesign Recycling pattern in human-dominated ecosystems

Emergy and thermodynamics Efficiency and Power (O Maximum Empower Principle Pulsing paradigm Thermodynamic principles

Emergy and systems modeling Energy systems language and modeling National sustainability Sensitivity analysis, uncertainty (

Emergy and policy Tools for decision makers Conservation and economic value