Enlarged 2nd edition The infusion of quantum theoretical principles allows the study focus of ecological energetics to shift from the conventional calorific (trophic) flow in ecosystems to the potential energy structure of the vegetation. The books contents cover the theory and techniques in a unique account centred on the energy equation. The equation's component terms define energy footprints specific to ecology's basic processes, such as historic phylogeny, current environmental mediation of transience, and chance. What gives practical value to the energy equation is its ability to be parameterised by the usual type of survey or experimental data.