Role of eco-information in monitoring: pro et contra

The author examines a number of concepts and laws that came to ecology from informatics and became widespread due to their deep semantic content. Although the importance of information processes for the implementation of ecological functions is widely recognized today, the fundamental principles of information theory are not sufficiently reflected in theoretical ecology. True, some general theoretical problems in the light of information theory (hierarchy, stability, interspecies interactions, classification of ecosystems, etc.) are discussed by specialists. The author examines attempts to create new scientific directions - "environmental informatics" and "information ecology". The "informational approach" in the study of certain properties of ecosystems should be perceived only as a method. The conclusion is made that "informational ecology", "ecological informatics" do not have the right to pretend to a new and original direction. Synecology focuses on the relationship of populations with each other; in this case, information theory can be applied in a very natural way to the study of interrelated processes. Two aspects of information are discussed: syntactic and semiotic information. It is hoped that, as a result of the methodological successes, the "informatization" of ecology will not take much time, as it might seem. However, it seems that this task in its difficulty exceeds the limits of any individually planned program. The "information" approach is applicable in ecology only within the framework of analogies that can "lead" the thought of environmental researchers to the formulation of new approaches and directions for the search for new laws and patterns.