A measure of ecosystem maturity

A measure to quantify maturity in ecosystems is proposed. The index is base d on the analysis of flows of biomass. A measure of the uncertainty of the determination of the route of a given particle of matter will follow throug h a system and the ability of the system to recycle matter from detritus we re used as estimators of maturity. The index was tested by comparing the in dex values against those of 17 maturity attributes in each ecosystem. We fo und a significant correlation in 16 of them. With the index, we can determi ne the maturity and stability of any ecosystem. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.