Towards a sustainability index using information theory

Christopher W. Pawlowski, Brian D. Fath, Audrey L. Mayer and Heriberto Cabezas

Energy, 2005, vol. 30, issue 8, 1221-1231

Abstract: We explore the use of Fisher Information as a basis for an index of sustainability. Sustainability of an ecosystem refers to the robustness of a preferred dynamic regime to human and natural disturbances. Ecosystems under perturbations of varying regularity and intensity can either remain within the current regime or transition into the neighbourhood of a regime with different (viz. less desirable) characteristics. The Fisher Information index we develop is based on the probability of finding the system in a particular state. We apply the index to a 10-compartment food web model with five functional groups: detritus, primary producers, herbivores, carnivores, and an omnivore. Fisher Information is shown to be sensitive to transients in model generated data. Such transients can be indicative of a transition to a new dynamic regime. Early detection of transitions to undesirable regimes may permit management intervention.

Date: 2005
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:30:y:2005:i:8:p:1221-1231

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2004.02.008

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