Nonlinear dynamics is now playing an important role in many disciplines. This book is intended to promote the process of "cross-fertilization" by which knowledge and ideas from one field find new applications and extensions in other areas. Leading experts from all branches of the natural sciences have contributed to this fasci nating collection.

Inhalt
I General Aspects of Complex Systems.- Synergetics as a Strategy to Cope with Complex Systems.- Evolution, Creativity and Intelligence in Complex Systems.- Philosophical Foundations of Nonlinear Complex Systems.- II Mathematical Models of Populations and Societies.- Diversity and Collective Action.- On the Application of Synergetics to Social Systems.- Emergent Behavior in Insect Societies: Global Oscillations, Chaos and Computation.- Collective Dynamics in Models of Communicating Populations.- III Complex Systems in Social Sciences and Psychology.- From Social Engineering to Synergetics On Metaphors Models and Reality.- Social Order. From Individual Activity to Functional Cooperation.- The Significance of Nonlinear Phenomena for the Investigation of Cognitive Systems.- Pattern Formation in Complex Cognitive Processes.- IV Complex Systems in Biology, Physiology and Ecology.- Modelling Pattern Formation in Ecological Systems.- Characterization of Temporal and Spatio-temporal Chaos.- Attractor-Ruled Dynamics in Neurobiology: Does it Exist? Can it be Measured?.- Synergetics of Blood Movement Through Microvascular Networks: Causes and Consequences of Nonlinear Pressure-Flow Relationships.- Index of Contributors.