Comments on "the return of information theory"

TL;DR

This paper critiques a previous ecological study for its unclear and incorrect use of information theory, emphasizing the need for clarity and standard terminology to facilitate better interdisciplinary understanding.

Contribution

It provides a clear, corrected, and standardized critique of the misuse of information theory in ecological literature, promoting rigorous communication.

Findings

Identifies and corrects errors in the original article

Clarifies ambiguities in information theory application

Recommends standard terminology for ecological information theory

Abstract

We criticize the article "Quantifying sustainability: Resilience, efficiency and the return of information theory" (Ulanowicz et al., Ecological Complexity, 2009) for its presentation of information theory to an audience of ecologists. We find that the formulation and use of basic IT concepts are unnecessarily obscure, deliberately incompatible with standard terminology, and in places just mathematically wrong. We lift some of the confusion by correcting errors, dissecting ambiguities and using standard terminology wherever possible. We believe that clear and rigorous presentations are necessary in order to enable information theoreticians and ecologists to engage in a fruitful dialogue.