**2.1 Ten basic laws of ecology**

Previously (Jørgensen & Fath, 2004) eight basic laws of ecology were proposed, but now it was decided to split one of them into three laws (Jørgensen, 2006-2007, 2011). These ten laws or Ecological Laws (EL) are listed below.


surrounding and to thermodynamic equilibrium (**The First Ecological Law of Thermodynamics**).

10. If the ecosystem is offered more pathways or combinations of pathways to move away from thermodynamic equilibrium, then the combinations of pathways that move the system most away from thermodynamic equilibrium (=yield the highest Eco-Exergy of the ecosystem) will win (**The Second Ecological Law of Thermodynamics**).
