Dynamic Energy and Mass Budgets in Biological Systems

This eminent treatise elucidates the Dynamic Energy Budget theory that unifies the commonalities among organisms, as prescribed by the implications of energetics, and links different levels of biological organization. The theory presents simple mechanistic rules that describe the uptake and use of energy and nutrients and the consequences for physiological organization throughout an organism's life cycle. Kooijman covers living organisms in a single quantitative framework and tests the predictions against a variety of experimental results at a range of organizational levels. The theory provides a theoretical underpinning to the method of indirect calorimetry.

The Dynamic Energy Budget model is a unifying theory which links different levels of biological organisation (cells, organisms, populations) by considering the underlying energetics of living systems. The theory presents simple rules that describe the uptake and use of energy and nutrients throughout an organisms's life. All living organisms are covered in a single framework, the predictions of which are tested against a variety of experimental results. The theory is developed in elementary mathematical terms, but a more detailed discussion of the methodological aspects of mathematical modelling is also included.