An Immune System Perspective on Ecosystem Management

Abstract

A new perspective for studying the complex interactions between human activities and ecosystems is proposed. It is argued that biological immune systems share a number of similarities with ecological economic systems in terms of function. These similarities include the system's ability to recognize harmful invasions, design measures to control and destroy these invasions, and remember successful response strategies. Studying both the similarities and the differences between immune systems and ecological economic systems can provide new insights on ecosystem management.

Keywords

• adaptive systems
• artificial immune systems
• biological invasions
• ecological economic systems
• ecosystem management
• immune systems
• institutions
• models