Catastrophes in nature and society: mathematical modeling of complex systems

Key Features:Discusses simple mathematical aspects of ecology, economy and sociologyCovers the applications of phase portraits in describing microcatastrophes Investigates the temperature and chemical conditions of the origin of life of climate catastrophesStudies the dynamics of market using a simple geometrical methodsUses straightforward mathematical models to assess the validity of election procedures and suggests some new voting procedures.

Intro -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Environmental Microcatastrophes -- Phase portraits -- Reflection from bisector -- Simple population processes -- More complex population processes -- A case of erroneous ecological measures -- Classification of outbreaks -- Classification of population processes -- REFERENCES -- 2. Cancer as a Catastrophe in Organisms -- Diffuse cancer -- Solid tumors -- Crossing the tissue interface -- Some special cases -- Prospects: prophylaxis of solid tumors -- REFERENCES -- 3. Life and Atmosphere -- Earth's heat budget and surface temperature -- Earth's biota and a new stable temperature point -- Life and carbon dioxide -- Stable points of life -- Specified behavior of the curve C(T ): effect of glaciation -- Global temperature dynamics under the effect of biota -- REFERENCES -- 4. Technosphere-Biosphere Interaction and Global Climate -- Energy use -- Greenhouse effect: controls from technology -- Temperature rise and climate change -- Alternative power sources -- REFERENCES -- 5. Dynamics of Atmospheric Ozone -- Ozone shield -- Ozone layer destruction -- Ozone holes -- Formation mechanisms of ozone holes: hypotheses -- A new method for tracing stratospheric air flows (Kashkin method) -- Global stratospheric dynamics: facts -- A hypothesis of the ozone hole formation in terms of air-flow dynamics -- References -- 6. Closed Ecological Systems and Earth's Biosphere -- Energy in space vehicles -- Life support systems -- Manmade closed biospheres -- Planet Earth as spacecraft -- 1. Stationary civilization -- 2. Closed civilization -- 3. Planet Earth as a spacecraft -- REFERENCES -- 7. Environmental Damage -- Modern man and environment -- Dynamics of environmental damage -- Environmental disaster -- 8. Fining and Environment -- Economy and environment -- REFERENCES -- 9. Market.