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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 10, No. 1
Publication Date: February 25, 2022
DOI:10.14738/aivp.101.11387. Chang, Y. (2022). Nonlinear Whole Ecology, Change of Entropy, Hypercycle, Talent Ecology and Chinese Cultural-Social Ecology.
European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 371-386.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Nonlinear Whole Ecology, Change of Entropy, Hypercycle, Talent
Ecology and Chinese Cultural-Social Ecology
Yi-Fang Chang
Department of Physics, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
ABSTRACT
Ecology is closely related to the rise and fall of human society. First, we propose the
nonlinear whole ecology and its four basic rules. Second, entropy plays an
important role in ecological economics, and the cycle of resources and the general
recycling economy cannot be a single increase process of entropy, we research
possible entropy decrease. Third, in order to achieve sustainable development,
society must realize the recycling economy. We study the applications of hypercycle
in ecology, and corresponding equations of ecosystem. The key factor in the cycle is
the conversion of waste. Fourth, we propose the talent ecology, which studies the
relations among talent and circumstances (esp., the social circumstances), and
search its three basic principles. The base of talent is education. The mechanism of
the academic development is freedom. The aim is innovation. The talent ecology
must encourage the academic diversity. Fifth, the structure-function-result mode of
ecosystem is proposed. Sixth, we discuss the recycling ecosystem of traditional
Chinese agriculture, and Chinese cultural-social ecology.
Key Words: ecology; human society; entropy; recycling economy; hypercycle; talent;
traditional Chinese agriculture; structure-function-result mode.
INTRODUCTION
Ecology takes the mutual relations between human society and resources and environment as
a whole. The material basis of the sustainable development of human society comes finally from
nature. The human existence continuously reduces useful resources, and increases wastes. The
survival and development of human society are greatly stressed from these two aspects. Usual
ecology is typically an open system and also an irreversible process of entropy. The once very
glorious Babylon civilization, the Habala civilization of India and the Maya civilization of
America were destructed due to human ecological environment. These are the profound
historical lessons of human society.
Mathematics is a powerful and important tool in modern ecology and environment science
[1,2]. Based on the synergetic equations [3,4], we derived different models of population
dynamics, and various simplified results and their ecological meaning by the qualitative
analysis theory of the nonlinear equations. The ecological synergetics promulgates deeply a
complex nonlinear relation between competition and cooperation on different species. Further,
we searched the general nonlinear evolutional equations of ecosystem, and the human crises
and our outlets [5].
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Any ecosystem is gradually formed and evolving. Its long existence must form a self-organized
dissipative structure [6,7]. An important order parameter for the sustainable development of
human society is the transformation of waste and the circulation of resources. In this paper, we
propose the nonlinear whole ecology and its four basic rules, and the talent ecology, and discuss
entropy and hypercycle in ecology, the structure-function-result mode of ecosystem, and
Chinese cultural-social ecology, etc.
NONLINEAR WHOLE ECOLOGY AND ITS BASIC RULES
Based on the inseparability and correlativity of the biological systems and human body, we
proposed the nonlinear whole biology [8,9] and the nonlinear whole medicine [10].
We start from the two main basic features whole and nonlinearity of ecology and combining
the general nonlinear theory, and propose the nonlinear whole ecology, and its four basic rules:
First rule: The inseparability exists always among different fields and different levels in various
ecological systems, which determinates to the ecological whole.
Second rule: Various ecological systems possess generally interaction and nonlinearity, which
include from molecular ecology, autecology, plant ecology, animal ecology to biodiversity,
evolutionary ecology, ecosphere, and so on. Their descriptions are necessarily nonlinear
mathematics. Corresponding equations all are nonlinear, and possess chaos and fractals, etc.
Third rule: A basic property of any ecological systems as an open system is this system and its
environment must be a whole, and forms environmental ecology. Usual environment may be
regarded as a boundary condition of the system, but it and the ecological systems have often
various nonlinear relations.
Fourth rule: Ecology studies the relations between living things and their natural and social
environments. This derives necessarily the totality, nonlinearity and ecological complexity. It is
related to behavioural ecology, coevolution, cultural ecology, social ecology and human ecology.
Four rules are a whole, and are closely related each other, such as, environmental economics,
etc. Because of ecological complexity, their description must apply the nonlinear theory with
the interaction terms. In ecological systems the structural complexity or the compositioal
complexity will produce and forms the functional complexity and causal complexity [11].
ENTROPY CHANGE IN ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM
Entropy plays an important role in ecological economics, and provides a theoretical basis for
limiting economic growth. This has also caused some discussion [12-14]. Smith, et al., studied
economics, ecology and entropy [15]. Jørgensen discussed a pattern as integration of ecosystem
theories [16].
Recently, Harte proposed the Maximum Entropy Theory of Ecology (METE), which has
extensive influence in ecology [17,18]. For the coupled human and natural systems (CHANS),
sustainability can be defined as a set of feasible and reasonable flows, including materials,
currency, information, energy, personnel, etc. This can combine the social-ecological
hydrodynamics [19]. Based on review of information theory, Mayer, et al., provided a
theoretical framework for dynamics of feedback in CHANS, and proposed an exponential
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Chang, Y. (2022). Nonlinear Whole Ecology, Change of Entropy, Hypercycle, Talent Ecology and Chinese Cultural-Social Ecology. European Journal
of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 371-386.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.101.11387
combination based on information that can effectively provide information about sustainability
objectives, especially when it comes to critical feedback in CHANS [20].
Ecology and evolution are often studied separately, and researchers focus only on one aspect
of information or entropy: molecular variation, species variation, etc. Information on all these
aspects can be seen in a larger, unified framework, and have nested levels, such as molecules,
individuals, populations, species, and ecosystems. It is known in ecology that macroscientists
study combinations of different species, while microevolutionary biologists study variations in
geneticable information within the species, such as DNA and epigenetic modifications. The two
different modes of change, although the methods sometimes vary very differently, but, are
determined by the same four basic processes of innovation, propagation, motion, and
adaptation. This is the common basis for ecology and evolution. Sherwin discussed the four
basic processes, where entropy or information methods can be applied uniformly to the
analysis and prediction of ecology and evolution [21].
The general development equations in ecosystems are [22]:
. (1)
Here the first item on the right is the saturation term, and the nonlinear functions
describe the competition rate and the regulation rate, etc. This can be related to the social- ecological hydrodynamics [19].
There is no doubt that the second law of thermodynamics is a great contribution to the
development of science, and applied widely many aspects. Rifkin, et al., proposed that entropy
is a new world view that governs everything, [23]. But, the second law of thermodynamics as
science must necessary research some new discussions. It is known that the basis of
thermodynamics is the statistics, in which a basic principle is statistical independence [24].
We proposed that when there are various internal interactions and fluctuations in isolated
systems, statistical independence no longer holds and the corresponding entropy has not
additive properties, hence the possibility of entropy decrease exists in the isolated system
[25,26]. This can not only be applied to many aspects of science and society [27-32], and some
examples are calculated quantitatively [26,29].
For systems with internal interactions, we proposed a universal formula for any isolated system
[26]:
. (2)
It is symmetry with the formula:
, (3)
in the theory of dissipative structure. From this we derived a complete symmetrical structure
on change of entropy:
[ ] ({ }) ({ }) ({ },{ }) e
i i C j R j M j j
j
i i i ij j
i k X N X d X F X F X F X X
dt
dX = -åb - + + +
FC FR ,
a i dS = dS + dS
dS d S d S = i + e
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(4)
Here entropy decrease may be the dissipative structure for an open system, or be the internal
interactions for an isolated system [26]. Further, we obtained the total formula of entropy
change for any natural or social system is [29,31,32]:
. (5)
When
, (6)
entropy increase dS>0, the system tends to disorder. When
, (7)
entropy decrease dS<0, the system tends to order. Both differences are determined by the input
negative entropy flow in open system and the internal attractive interactions in isolated system
The universal rule of this theory is that nonlinear internal interactions reach self-organization,
entropy decrease and order. It can have different levels: material, chemistry, biology,
individuals, society, and ecology, etc.
The same energy flow input a system, the technological innovation can greatly reduce the
entropy increase. ET includes energy, ecology and environment technology. Technological
innovations may be different dyes for solar energy, mechanical structures of wind energy
generators, and batteries of electric vehicles, etc.
The improvement of urban management level, such as garbage classification, has important
ecological significance. This is the process of entropy decrease. Cities, as an ecosystem, must be
an open dissipative structure, so as to exist. But, some systems may be as an isolated system,
such as the whole ecosystem or black box, the system inputs the same and get different energy,
from high entropy to low entropy, to achieve entropy decrease. Big data and datalism is creating
more information, of course more redundancy.
HYPERCYCLE AND ECOLOGY
In 1971 Manfred Eigen proposed the hypercyle theory, which is a scientific theory on the
relations between protein and nuclei acid, and on the origin of life, and discussed self- organization of matter and the evolution of biological macromolecules [33,34]. It is in order to
model prebiotic evolution governed by the Darwinian principles of competition between
species and mutations, and leads to a new level of evolution. Here cooperative behaviors are
reflected by intrinsically nonlinear reaction mechanisms. Further, the hypercycle is a principle
of natural self-organization, and it as a beautiful form is a tool [34] not only in biomolecules,
and may be widely applied to many fields. In the hypercycle each cycle as a whole has self- ï
î
ï
í
ì
î
í
ì
= +
= + ® ® .
dS d d .
.
i e
a i dS dS dS
S S
decrease
increase
Entropy
+ - = + + - - + i + e - e
a i i dS dS dS dS dS dS dS
-
-
+ + + + + > + e
i
i e
a i dS dS dS dS dS dS
-
-
+ + + + + < + e
i
i e
a i dS dS dS dS dS dS
i dSe dS-
- +
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Chang, Y. (2022). Nonlinear Whole Ecology, Change of Entropy, Hypercycle, Talent Ecology and Chinese Cultural-Social Ecology. European Journal
of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 371-386.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.101.11387
enhancing growth properties, and their cooperative behaviours are reflected by intrinsically
nonlinear reaction mechanisms, and the dynamics is described by a system of coupled
nonlinear differential equations, for example, mechanism of enzymatic together catalysis,
whose cycle at least with three elements (Fig.1) and an extension of hypercycle evolution
principle (Fig.2) [34].
Fig.1: Mechanism of enzymatic together catalysis
Fig.2: Extension of hypercycle evolution principle
We apply the graph theory to the hypercycle theory. Here the graph G=(V,E), in which V is point
set and E is border set. Such the hypercycle can be defined by a degree of connectivity, which is
bigger, corresponds to higher hypercycle [35]. Dieckmann, et al., searched the geometry of
ecology and simplifying spatial complexity [2]. Butler, et al., discussed permanence in
ecosystems [36-39].
It is known that hypercycle is able to evolve towards optimized functions due to inner coupling
and synergies. Moreover, the organization of hypercycle is stable, because of the inner
nonlinearity, and its selection advantage is the whole property, so it can mathematically show
that the hypercycle has an extremely high symmetry and the corresponding stability. The
generalized hypercycle structure is a very typical form of existence.
One directional change system is a line increase process. The complete cycle is a circle, and
corresponds to a zero carbon emission system. The current recycling economics is mainly the
cycle of three elements from resources to products and wastes, and latter changes renewable
resources. Generally real ecosystems can be described in Fig. 3:
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Fig.3 Recycling ecosystem
For the substantially invariant input, the circle radius of cycle is larger, the less waste the
output.
The rational application and transformation of various resources and the proper disposal of
waste are the most basic problems. Human society has living, food and clothing, comfort and
other different levels of living conditions. The levels are different, and the specific values of the
various indicators are also different. The mathematical basis of recycling economics should be
combined, and can be hypercycle. Various small cycles form large cycles. Therefore, we can
apply and develop the hypercycle and its theory.
According to the recycling economics of the sustainable development, the resources must be
the recycle structures. The simplest mode is to develop the industrial reclaimed wastes, and
form a cycle of three elements on product and consumption and reclaimed waste. The usual
economics is inextricability for the recycling economy.
The ecology and environment are very complex and huge nonlinear systems, which easy to
cause the butterfly effect in chaos. From this we can derive a conclusion: large-scale
transformation of nature must be very careful. Its negative effect is probably insurmountable
for scientific and technological progress. For example, at present, we should focus on the
construction of small and medium hydropower stations, and large hydropower stations are
easy to change the climate, geological structure, and even cause earthquakes.
At present, it has been recognized that both natural resources and social resources are two
indispensable elements of the existence and development of human society. Various kinds of
natural resources are interdependent, and mutually restricted, and they are whole. Resource
economics studies the economic and quantitative relations between human, resources and the
environment, and in the process of material cycle and energy transformation. This is an
emerging combination of natural science and social science. Resource economics applies the
optimization method to design the scheme of resource utilization, and uses production
functions, linear planning and other mathematical methods for qualitative and quantitative
analysis. Its goal is to develop and utilize resources economically, rationally and effectively.
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Chang, Y. (2022). Nonlinear Whole Ecology, Change of Entropy, Hypercycle, Talent Ecology and Chinese Cultural-Social Ecology. European Journal
of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 371-386.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.101.11387
This combines environmental economics, which also needs to consider the input-output funds
and benefits, manpower and employment, etc. Currently only environmental pollution is
discussed. But, combined with aesthetics we should consider the harmony of the whole
environment. Further, the diversity of human society as whole can combine the environment,
ecology and culture. For example, after food and clothing are basically solved, a main index of
social development is the degree of civilization. This is much more than just an economic
problem. In short, the economy and the ecosystem should be symbiotic and reciprocal relations.
Hypercycle as a higher level of cycle with a self-organization can describe the self-selection,
self-catalytic, self-replication mechanism of the system by nonlinear equations [34]. In the
selection dynamics it is consistent with molecular evolution, and the simplest system can be
described by the evolutionary differential equations of the mutual coupling:
. (8)
Hypercycles can evolve to a more complex degree and level through a similar gene replication
and specialization process [34]. Cramer believes that hypercycle theory has the most
fundamental importance for understanding the evolutionary mechanisms of biological
development [11]. Under certain conditions, hypercycles can act as isolated system.
For ecological system S, we may simplify the hypercycle equation (8) to:
. (9)
Here free energy F is of the system input, and is a function of energy E and goods G, and M is
management, is the conversion rate of the resource, and W is the output waste. The general
solution of this equation is:
. (10)
This corresponds to the principle of least action . The key factor in the
cycle is the waste conversion rate (R), whose size corresponds to the radius in FIG. 3.
If dS/dt=0, the system is stable. For general cases of (9), the system evolves. For the constant F,
f=0, so , and the system will increase over time, the waste accumulates and
becomes overwhelmed.
Assume that the simplest , when is very big, which corresponds to the circle
with a large radius in Fig. 3. If the system generates waste Wà0, . The input
energy is preferably clean, renewable, etc. For agriculture, the problem of pesticides and
fertilizers is difficult to transform.
Assuming that the system variable is proportional to S, the equation (9) can also develop to:
. (11)
i
k i
i i i i ik k A Q D x w x
dt
dx = - +å + f 1
( )
F E G f M R W
dt
dS = ( , ) + ( , i) -
Ri
ò S = F E G + f M R -W dt i [ ( , ) ( , ) ]
ò = + -
2
1
( )
t
t
dS d F f W dt
S = (F -W )t +C
( )
2 M aRi f = Ri
S = (F + f )t +C
F E G f M R W S
dt
dS
i = [ ( , ) + ( , ) - ]
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This is also a simplify result of Eq.(1). Its general solution is:
. (12)
Further, ecosystems can be developed into a variety of nonlinear equations and equations, such
as Lotka-Volterra models may describe lengthen and extinction each other in the ecosystem,
etc.
TALENT ECOLOGY
When we stroll at Vienna, the atmosphere of music is filled, from street playing to puppet
shows, from scale of the music festivals to the introduction of tourist sites. From the 19th
century to the beginning of the twentieth century, Gottingen as a holy place in the field of
mathematics and physics in the world was not only full of academic atmosphere, but scientists
are also generally respected by whole city. Cavendish Laboratory and Copenhagen all had a
strong academic atmosphere; contrarily, this formed a stronger academic environment. These
are all fascinating.
In talent research, G. Mosca of Italy from 1900-1923 and V. Pareto in Switzerland from 1900-
1916, and H.D. Lasswell at Chicago University from 1936 to 1952 searched outstanding talent.
By the ecologic method, we propose the talent ecology, which studies the relations among talent
and circumstances (esp., the social circumstances), and research three basic principles on the
talent ecology:
1. The principle of environment control. The environment determines the value
orientation of the whole society and the situation of talents. There are several limiting
factors on talents: First, talents should be able to survive. Second, developing talents
must provide a certain information flow and capital flow, so may create a good
environment within an appropriate scope. Third, the theoretical achievements must be
published, and useful sciences must be applied for certain places. Fourth, bigger
progress must be encouraged, supported and recognized by the society. Light,
temperature and water are three basic factors for land ecological environment; light,
temperature and salinity are three basic elements for marine ecological environment.
Saline land is hard to have a good harvest. Free academic atmosphere, information and
capital seem to be the three basic elements of talent ecological environment. Of course,
this never denies individual efforts.
2. The principle of interconnection and holism. Talent ecology is related to big social
ecology and cultural ecology. In longitudinal aspect, four different levels (genes,
individuals, groups, society) are inseparable. In the long review, any level is important.
Talent ecology should not only study the part, but also study the whole. This is similar
to the rule of integrative levels in ecology proposed by Feibleman in 1954. More
generally, talent ecology involves the social-economic-talent system. Three aspects
cooperate with each other, and talents can flourish and develop.
3. The principle of quality determined by quantity. This is a statistical law. From talent to
funds, we must have a certain number to lead to a higher quality. Talent ecology is a
pyramidal structure. Good social environment, the popularization of education and
scientific knowledge, certain number of magazines and books, different schools,
theoretical diversity form the number pyramid, energy pyramid, information pyramid,
and finally lead to the quality pyramid. In pyramid the lower layers are various
S C exp{[F(E,G) f (M , R ) W ]t} = + i -
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Chang, Y. (2022). Nonlinear Whole Ecology, Change of Entropy, Hypercycle, Talent Ecology and Chinese Cultural-Social Ecology. European Journal
of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 371-386.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.101.11387
foundations, and the upper layers are different levels of talent. But, if structure of the
pyramid is not naturally formed, and artificially determined, especially by officials or
fake scholars, then the result must be extremely unsatisfactory, even false and poor
people. Such it points out that it is best to have several pyramids, namely, different
schools.
These three basic principles are the general laws. There are also some inferences: a few talents
are only fluctuation phenomenon. The cultivation of talents has time lag. The total talent
ecology includes: its own parts, such as genetic genes, education; and environment part,
including living and material environment, working environment, academic (democratic and
free discussion, and different schools) environment, social environment, etc. In short, an
ecosystem should be formed to support, encourage and respect talent, and not to suppress or
combat talent and new ideas.
The base of talent is education. The mechanism of the academic development is freedom. The
aim is innovation. Only popularizing education and academic freedom can produce high-quality
talents and constantly innovate. The competition between talents must be fair and equal
opportunities. The biggest purpose of talent ecology is to obtain the maximum protection and
support for talents, and thus to achieve the maximum talent output (including both quality and
quantity). The talent ecology must encourage the academic diversity.
Talent ecosystem can have different structures, functions and other aspects. The system can be
big or small, different talent ecosystem can form a virtuous cycle: democratic discussion,
complement each other, help mutual and common development. It is a basic law of ecology that
the development of communities leads to the development of biology. Only forming different
schools can promote the great development of science and essential major innovation. Further,
in the talent ecosystem the models of different schools combine each other and develop to form
the complementary models, from this can better lead to co-evolution. A good talent
environment must allow, support and encourage academic diversity. This is necessary for
freedom of academic atmosphere, and is a good way to discover talent and promote
scholarship. It is similar to the biological diversity. Without the academic atmosphere of free
and democratic discussion is difficult to have more originality. Only academic advocating and
encouraging different schools can lead to competition between each other.
Although capital and material are the basis of good talent ecosystem, scientific atmosphere, a
kind of love, reverence and devotion to science is not directly proportional to money! This is
true for ancient and modern of world.
Talent ecology can apply mathematical methods and models, and describe by the known
equations of population dynamics, for example, the relations between environment and talent
by Lotka-Volterra model; the relations between different schools by competing models; and the
synergy in the same talent ecosystem with each member power amplified due to each other by
the symbiotic model:
. (13)
(1 ) k aN
M rM
dt
dM
+ = -
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. (14)
Talent is always a few, but they are inseparable from the ordinary people and form a social
unity together. Talents have different fields and levels, and have their own expertise, their own
advantages and disadvantages, and even their own paranoia. They should be tolerant, cannot
seek perfection. This is a common sense. All people are equal in politics and personality, but
there are differences in ability and strengths. It is also common sense. Giving full play to the
talents and the expertise of everyone, by using their strengths, and avoid their weaknesses, it
is the best choice for a good society and its development.
STRUCTURE-FUNCTION-RESULT MODE OF ECOSYSTEM
Structural functionalism is an important theory in modern sociology [40-43]. Social structure
is organized set of social relationships in which members of the society or group are variously
implicated [44]. Turner investigated systematically the structure of sociological theory [45].
Neofunctionalism is a self-critical stand of functional theory that seeks to broaden
functionalism’s intellectual scope while retaining its theoretical core [46].
Based on various social structures and combining structural functionalism and
neofunctionalism and the structure-conduct-performance (SCP) mode proposed and
developed by E.Mason, J.Bain and F.M.Scherer, we proposed the structure-function-result (SFR)
mode of sociology [35]. Now we extend it to ecology, and forms the structure-function-result
(SFR) mode of ecosystem (Fig. 4), in which the structure of system determines the system
function and the evolution mechanism, and feedback modifies structure. Three can be
represented by three Borromean rings (Fig.5) in topology [47,19], in which united they stand,
divided they fall. This is also a pattern of some ternary systems.
Fig. 4. The Structure-Function-Result (SFR) mode of ecosystem
Fig. 5. Borromean rings
In modern sociology there are the evolutionary theory, the conflict theory, the exchange theory
and interactionist, etc [45]. They may belong in different dynamics. We researched the social
thermodynamics and the social hydrodynamics [48,19]. These can all be applied to ecosystems.
(1 )
p bM
N rN
dt
dN
+ = -
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Chang, Y. (2022). Nonlinear Whole Ecology, Change of Entropy, Hypercycle, Talent Ecology and Chinese Cultural-Social Ecology. European Journal
of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 371-386.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.101.11387
Usually ecosystems have two characters: one is stability, the other is evolution and
development. Both correspond to the dynamics and dynamics of system, respectively. The
structure determines the elastic mechanics and elasticity of the ecosystem. Only the elastic
coefficient can be introduced phenomenally, and assuming that the generalized Hooke law
holds: within the elastic limit, each stress is a linear homogeneous function of pure strain. This
can describe the changing adaptation to the environment. The elasticity of the system is greater,
the self-adaptive and restorative are also stronger. If the elasticity is small, the ecosystem is
easier to collapse, and the species is easier to perish. For example, the panda's body and food
structure make it endangered.
Usual real ecosystems have certain nonlinear characteristics: self-organization, self-repair,
fractal forms with self-similar structures, etc. And limit cycle may only appear in nonlinear
systems [22]. The ideal ecosystem should have the stability and hypercycle [33,34]
characteristics. This is most typical of the bee and ant populations.
The cycle of resources or the general recycling economy cannot be a single increasing process
of entropy. We proposed structure-function-result mode for the same ecosystem, feedback and
management levels are internal interactions in the system that may be entropy decrease. For a
certain short time, if the system acts as isolated system, the second law of thermodynamics
must be modified and developed [25-32].
ECOLOGICAL CYCLE SYSTEM OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE AND CHINESE
CULTURAL-SOCIAL ECOLOGY
A well-known economist A. Marshall said, using a certain area of the earth's surface is a basic
condition for people to do anything [49]. Thus a fundamental problem of sustainable
development is land and agriculture. In China some ancient ecological countryside has formed
the complete cycle system of agriculture-mulberry-raise-fishery [35]. This is paddy field
planting rice, planting mulberry on the ridge, fish in the water. It raises pigs by agricultural and
sideline products, pig manure as fertilizer of field. Mulberry leaves raise sheep, with sheep
manure as fertilizer of mulberry; mulberry leaves raise silkworm, with silkworm manure and
snail water grass feed fish, and fish manure as fertilizer of mulberry.
Its important foundations is the use of farm manure, mainly stable manure, human manure and
urine, vegetation ash, green manure, and mud manure, etc. Its character is by local materials,
low cost. It may increase the soil organic matter and improve the soil structure. The organic
fertilizer is recycling. This has achieved sustainable development for thousands of years, and
may be a model of sustainable development in world agriculture.
Further, the Chinese traditional house is grass as top and soil as walls, which are also easier to
return to nature. Land produces food, men manure as fertilizer of land. Clothes are cotton, living
in the house of grass-soil-wood structure, and they can be used as fertilizer, and back to the
land. Of course, the modern agricultural cycle can also add biogas, hydropower and other new
technology. In China the fertility of land has not diminished for thousands of years. Moreover,
the Dujiangyan (都江堰) and the Yuanyang terrace (元阳梯田) in Yunnan as two World Cultural
Heritage Sites have existed for more than 2200 and 1400 years, which are also the adaptability
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of river and mountain environment. They are all the structure-function models in ecology, and
may be the typical sustainable developed models for world.
It is a poetic recycle:
Fallen flowers are not merciless and useless(落红不是无情物)
They transform manure, and enrich flowers(化作春泥更护花)
Based on the traditional Chinese culture of Yi, Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and so on, we
proposed the Chinese culture-social ecology [50], and explore the way to resolve the human
crises. The Book of Changesis the first book in the world to discuss the relations between human
and nature. The ternary meanings of the core on Yi are change, invariance and simple. Base of
Yi theory is endless and sustainable development. But, human must follow the eternal law, and
the invariant way of nature. This is the most basic and simple truth, and the reason for the
formation of all things in the universe, and their changing and evolutional laws.
The Book of Changes said: Yi began familiar with anxiety and calamity. “The superior man, when
resting in safety, does not forger that danger may come; when in a state of security, he does not
forger the possibility of ruin; and when all is in a state of order, he does not forger the disorder
may come. Thus his person is kept safe, and his states and all their clans can be preserved.” Yi
theory can be applied to the resolution of human crises. Yi is a simple life, change is easy to
follow the fate of heaven, and invariance is the human ideal and mission.
The multi-layered Tai-Ji Diagram [51] may be the relations between people in a group; in
society it is the relations between law and virtue; in a country it is the relations between the
people and the officials; in the world it is the relations between different countries, and between
different nationalities and different beliefs, etc. The largest range is the relations between
human and the natural environment. Both must live in harmony each other in order to be
symbiotic and sustainable development. Therefore, we proposed a social sustainable developed
pattern, in which the social progress, the economic development, the science and technology,
the education and the environment complement each other [52]. It is the promotion-restraint
on Five-Elements model, and is also useful concept for ecological field. Its complete mode is the
unification field of human-nature in Chinese traditional culture.
Good society has made people better and advanced. Bad society makes people worse and
degrades. Good society can be good education and sound rule of law. Chinese traditional culture
emphasizes morality: Ren (Humanity, Benevolence,), Yi (Justice, Righteousness), Li (Etiquette,
Propriety), Zhi (Wisdom), Xin (Faith, Sincerity) and so on. They go beyond times, and request
to constitute various social orders, and moral actions as behavior criterions restrict emperors,
officials and total society. Existence of moral system is a certain extent restriction for emperor
power. It is the thought basis of super-stable structure of Chinese traditional society [53]. When
the autocratic system of emperors is abandoned, and replacing the dynasties by democracy, a
new super-stable structure can be formed. Although our behavior is limited by society, our
thoughts are free and optional, and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty is beyond the
control of external environment [54]. This is also one of the ten sociological perspectives [55].
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of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 371-386.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.101.11387
Combining the multi-layered Tai-Ji Diagram [51] and whose three-dimensional spatial radius
can be enlarged and change associated with higher-level development. Human hope existence
and development, ecology must be cycle. From the Tai-Ji Diagram and the multi-layered Tai-Ji
Diagram with two elements to three elements and five elements [52], they are all cycle.
In Chinese traditional culture, the most perfect ideal society and future mode is that nature and
human are completely harmonious, in which human and nature and environment coordinate
each other to form a virtuous cycle of endless life, and finally reach the highest state of the unity
of nature and human, the unity of matter and mind, no life and no death, and the world forever.
SUMMARY
In a word, ecology is closely related to the rise and fall of human society. 1. Human society must
promote the cycle and hypercycle of resources and waste, and keep the ecosystem stable and
sustainable. 2. We need introduce new materials, new information and so on, so that conducive
to the ecosystem, and enhance the benign development of the ecosystem. 3. We should optimize
and improve the management level in order to entropy decrease and strengthen the ordering
of the whole ecosystem.
In the face of various ecological and social crises, we should vigorously advocate less desire,
frugality and financial management, magnanimity and contentment. This kind of happiness
view and values cannot only enhance people's morality, save and use resources effectively,
alleviate the crises between human and environment, but also resolve the conflict between
different civilizations, so that to realize the pure land of the world, and achieve the harmonious
world and permanent peace.
We believe that pursuing truth, goodness and beauty can guide that human tend to a fine noble
ideal society, and enter into higher civilization and more harmonious society [54]. The
macroscopic aspect in the bigger space-time scope, era, heroes, the modern science and society,
the increasingly rational human mutually may promote and determine the human destiny and
the evolution trajectory together.
In modern society, the lofty thought of carrying forward Chinese traditional culture has the
function of inspiring people to pursue the best realm in an ideal. Confucianism emphasizes
benevolence, Buddhism emphasizes love, Mohism emphasizes both love, combined with the
fraternity of western civilization, based on Chinese culture-social ecology, and combined with
modern science, we can construct the model of harmonious development of man and man, man
and nature, and resolve all kinds of crises. Our world can be a society of peace, harmony, mutual
help, mutual respect and mutual love. Human decision-making will shape the future of our
world.
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