ABSTRACT
The integration o f most o f the presently discussed ecosystem theories has been attempted in Jorgensen (1997) and Patten (1998) in the form of several propositions given to the characteristic properties o f ecosystems. An integration will inevitably uncover the specific features o f ecosystems that are elucidated by the single approaches and will show which dynamic, developmental properties the single theories describe. The presented theories have of course some overlaps and there are also a few minor disagreements. This, however, does not disturb the overall image of an interesting and stimulating pattern of approaches covering various aspects and properties of ecosystems. Thus, the multitude of theoretical concepts implies a multitude of ecosystem aspects resulting in an holistic pattern, similar to what is depicted in Figure 1.
