Evolving Connectionist Systems : The Knowledge Engineering Approach
Evolving Connectionist Systems is aimed at all those interested in developing and using intelligent computational models and systems to solve challenging real world problems in computer science, engineering, bioinformatics and neuroinformatics. The book challenges scientists and practitioners with open questions about future creation of new information models inspired by Nature. This edition includes new methods for adaptive, knowledge-based learning, such as online incremental feature selection, spiking neural networks, transductive neuro-fuzzy inference, adaptive data and model integration, cellular automata and artificial life systems, particle swarm optimisation, ensembles of evolving systems, and quantum inspired neural networks. New applications to gene and protein interaction modelling, brain data analysis and brain model creation, computational neuro-genetic modelling, adaptive speech, image and multimodal recognition, language modelling, adaptive robotics, modelling dynamic financial and socio-economic systems, and ecological modelling, are covered. An important new feature of the book is the attempt to connect different structural and functional levels of a complex, intelligent system, looking for inspiration from functional relationships in natural systems, such as the genetic and the brain activity.
Ecosystem Organization of a Complex Landscape : Long-Term Research in the Bornhöved Lake District, Germany
Presents the major findings of a 12-year ecological study of the Bornhöved Lake District, situated some 30 km south of Kiel. Historically speaking, the present research scheme, like comparable long-term ecosystem studies at Göttingen, Bayreuth, München, and Berchtesgaden, has been conceived as the core of a comprehensive ecological surveillance system for Germany (Ellenberg et al. 1978). Comprising three interrelated components, namely an ecological monitoring network, comparative ecosystem research, and an environmental specimen bank, this system is intended to promote both ecological science and planning and policy. In this connection the geo- and bioscientifically based ecosystem research aims at understanding the structure and functions of systems, the natural equilibrium and stress tolerance of singular components and the entire system against changes and disturbances from within and from outside, and the relationships between diversity, productivity, and stability. Thus, ecosystem research forms the indispensable basis for the rational analysis of the comprehensive data sets made available by ecological monitoring networks and for the adequate selection of plant, animal, and soil specimens for environmental specimen banking purposes.

