The pinch effect of the particles, which is observed in all tokamaks,
furnishes the key to the selection of dominant turbulence modes. The c
oncept of a turbulent uniform distribution of particles over some phas
e-space surfaces specified by the geometry of the magnetic field and b
y invariants is introduced. Large-scale electrostatic modes lead to a
turbulent uniform distribution nq = const with a maximum particle dens
ity at the center of the column. They also lead to a natural explanati
on of the self-consistency of profiles. These modes can be transformed
to the greatest extent by radial electrostatic fields, in accordance
with the phenomenology of L-H-VH transitions. (C) 1994 American Instit
ute of Physics.