Ecological exergy analysis: a new method for ecological energetics research

A new method for ecological energetics research, ecological exergy analysis, is developed based on the exergy analysis in thermodynamics and the characteristics of living systems. This method takes account of both energy quantity and energy quality. Exergy balance equations for both an animal and a plant are constructed, and methods for estimating different types of exergy in living systems are proposed that consider the complex physical-chemical and physiological-ecological processes. Four ecological exergy efficiency indices for evaluating different ecological processes are proposed based on the exergy balance equations.