Energy degradation and ecosystem development: Theoretical framing, indicators definition and application to a test case study

► It is suggested to distinguish three different facets of the phenomenon of the energy degradation, respectively dealing with the overall, system and environmental degradation. ► The significance of overall degradation and related indices as indicators of ecosystem development appears to be limited. ► Environmental degradation and related indices are more promising as indicators of development state, provided that some methodological issues are addressed. ► The net radiative entropy exchange emerges as the best indicator of the development state in a meso-eutrophic lake.