Biodiversity ecosystem functioning bef research is central to this emerging synthesis, asking how biodiversity is related to the magnitude and stability of ecosystem processes. Alterations to ecosystems are a critical factor contributing to species and habitat loss. Change or decline in several of these elements at once will most likely reduce the productivity and stability of ecosystem functioning. A major future challenge is to determine how biodiversity dynamics, ecosystem processes, and abiotic factors interact. The response of ecosystem properties to varying composition and diversity of consumer organisms is much more complex than responses seen in experiments that vary only the diversity of primary producers. In natural ecosystems, the community size distribution determines all these vertical patterns and thus the total nutrient uptake. Biodiversityecosystem functioning bef research is central to this emerging synthesis, asking how biodiversity is related to the. Ecological mechanisms biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The study of ecosystems ecology from the greek oikos meaning house or dwelling, and logos meaning discourse is the study of the interactions of organisms with each other and their environment. Chapter 2 biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services. Pdf community interactions front matter pages 236236.
Biodiversity is increasingly altered by human activities, which has led to considerable research on the consequences of biodiversity loss for ecosystem functioning. W e are at present unable to predict the consequences of changing ecosystem functioning as well as the loss of biodiversity resulting from environmental change in ecological, economic or societal terms. Thus, over the last few years research has focused on the question of whether the loss of biodiversity will negatively affect the functioning of ecosystems naeem et al. Oecd work on biodiversity and ecosystems biodiversity in the international context biodiversity is defined as the variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part. Biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning in a 15year. Reduction in biodiversity can affect decomposition rates, vegetation biomass production and, in the marine environment, affect fish stocks. Stated in another way, what is the role of individual species in ecosystem function. Further progress will require integration of knowledge about biotic and abiotic controls on ecosystem properties, how ecological communities are struc tured, and the forces driving species extinctions and invasions. Introduction does biodiversity matter for the functioning of ecosystems. Our knowledge is weak in important details, however.
Preface mechanistic links between biodiversity and ecosystem function. The biota of the earth is being altered at an unprecedented rate. Due to the complexity of factors in bef relationships, numerous ecological mechanisms can manifest an effect of biodiversity loss on ecosystem function. Reich,4,5 andrew gonzalez,6 andy hector7 and bernhard schmid8 abstract biodiversity loss decreases ecosystem functioning at the local scales at which species interact, but. May 12, 1998 these two factors, however, have different implications for the understanding of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
This is an exlibrary book and may have the usual libraryusedbook markings inside. A functioning forest ecosystem, for example, exhibits rates of plant production, carbon storage, and nutrient cycling that are characteristic of most forests. Hector encyclopedia of life support systems eolss laboratory culture, aquatic animals in artificial ponds or streams, forest plantations or, most commonly, field plots of grassland plants. Do these alterations matter in respect to how ecosystems operate and provide services. This book represents the initial probing of this central ques tion. Biodiversity underpins ecosystem function and the provision ofecosystem services. Species diversity is a major determinant of ecosystem productivity, stability, invasibility, and nutrient dynamics. Biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human wellbeing an. Our model suggests a vertical diversity hypothesis vdh for ecosystem functioning in complex food webs. The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across space and time emily mae bond, ms university of pittsburgh, 2002 recent empirical studies conducted in disparate ecosystems have shown that greater species diversity has positive effects on ecosystem functioning.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in dynamic landscapes. The third section takes research on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning further. Our goals here are to summarize a consensus view for the ecological community of current understandings of the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning with an eye to uncer. The scientific community has come to a broad consensus on many aspects of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, including many points relevant to management of ecosystems. The books ultimate conclusion is that biodiversity is an essential element of. Inevitably, mankind is an integral part of each ecosystem and as such enjoys all its provided benefits. The question of whether species extinction alters the productivity of communities and ecosystem function is the subject of heated controversy. Leaflets, posters, publications, books, exhibition. It will be followed by other volumes in this series examining in depth the functional role of. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in food webs. The latter phenomenon can be temporary or permanent, depending on whether the environmental degradation that leads to the loss is reversible through ecological restoration ecological resilience or. Global issues, local practices covers scientific input, socioeconomic considerations, and governance issues on ecosystem services.
In an age of accelerating biodiversity loss, this timely and critical volume summarizes recent advances in biodiversityecosystem functioning research and explores. Recognizing biodiversity is essential to preserve wildlife. In an age of accelerating biodiversity loss, this timely and critical volume summarizes recent advances in biodiversityecosystem functioning research and explores the economics of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Les services ecosystemiques dans les espaces agricoles. Nov 26, 2014 evidence is mounting that the immense diversity of microorganisms and animals that live belowground contributes significantly to shaping aboveground biodiversity and the functioning of terrestrial.
Pdf biodiversity and ecosystem function in agricultural systems. Published by the ecological society of america number 4, fall. Ecosystems can be considered as dynamic and interactive clusters made up of plants, animals and microorganism communities. The quantitative relationship between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services is still poorly. How are the many services that ecosystems provide to humanity altered by modifications of ecosystem composition.
Biodiversity and ecosystem function ernstdetlef schulze. We are seeing massive changes in landscape use that are creating even more abundant succes sional patches. In an age of accelerating biodiversity loss, this timely and critical volume summarizes recent advances in biodiversity ecosystem functioning research and explores the economics of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has emerged as one of the most exciting and dynamic areas in contemporary ecology. Forest biodiversity is the foundation of many ecosystem services, and the effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning and processes bef has been a central issue in biodiversity.
Increasing domination of ecosystems by humans is steadily transforming them into depauperate systems. Advances in ecological research ecosystem services from. Belowground biodiversity and ecosystem functioning nature. Linking ecosystems functions and ecosystem services. T he relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has emerged as a central issue in ecological and environmental sciences during the last decade. Multiple trophic levels, multifunctionality how many species are needed to ensure successful functioning of ecosystems. Hundreds of studies spanning terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems show that highdiversity mixtures are approximately twice as productive as monocultures of the same species and that this difference increases through time. How will biodiversity loss affect ecosystem functioning, ecosystem services, and human wellbeing. Bren school of environmental science and management, university of california, santa barbara, ca, usa. Effects of biodiversity on the functioning of trophic groups. Biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human wellbeing. Urban ecosystems melissa martin a lthough they cover a relatively small area of the world, cities are home to many people and are expanding and densifying at staggering rates. We are witnessing wholesale exchanges of organisms among geographic areas that were once totally biologically isolated. Structure and function biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning michel loreau. Evidence is mounting that the immense diversity of microorganisms and animals that live belowground contributes significantly to shaping aboveground biodiversity and the. Biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human wellbeing an ecological and economic perspective article january 2009 with 276 reads how we measure reads. Please note the image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item. Biodiversity and ecosystem function ernstdetlef schulze springer. A functioning ecosystem is one that exhibits biological and chemical activities characteristic for its type. Traditional bef experiments most frequently manipulate the richness of one trophic level and keep constant the diversity of the other prey or consumer trophic levels, whereas in natural systems, biodiversity varies at both or even across more than two levels. Diversity and productivity evidence and mechanisms 2. This book provides handson transdisciplinary reflections by administrators and sector representatives involved in the ecosystem service community. Our goals here are to summarize a consensus view for the ecological community of current understandings of the relationships between biodiver.
Many of the authors of this paper have been on different sides of this debate. Quantifying effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning. View the article pdf and any associated supplements and figures for a. Biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and classical biological. Pdf effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning.
Mechanisms underlying the relationship between biodiversity and. The model also shows that the effect of species richness on productivity or other ecosystem processes is masked by the effects of physical environmental parameters on these processes. In 1994, two papers presented evidence supporting the emerging biodiversity and ecosystem functioning hypotheses. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning fedora 22 test page. Increasing concern over worldwide loss of biodiversity has led ecologists to focus intently on how ecosystem functioning may depend on diversity.
Perspective quantifying effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning across times and places forest isbell, 1 jane cowles, laura e. Salzau conference on solutions for sustaining natural capital and ecosystem services. We are observing the selective as well as wholesale alteration in the composition of ecosystems. These two factors, however, have different implications for the understanding of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Dec 06, 2012 stated in another way, what is the role of individual species in ecosystem function. The number of existing species is vastly higher than the if. How biodiversity is perceived and maintained affects ecosystem functioning, as well as the fact how the goods and services that ecosystems provide to humans can be used. Work performed in the 1990s suggested that species. Department of ecology, evolution and behavior, university of minnesota, mn, usa. Ecosystem functioning and biodiversity in the deep sea european. Ecosystem services and biodiversity european commission. Furthermore, the measure, management and protection of ecosystem biodiversity requires different and. Leibniz institute of ecological and regional development, dresden. Biodiversity loss therefore threatens the provision of goods and services provided by ecosystems.
Driven by the increasing necessity to preserve the ecosystem productivity, several ecological studies have been conducted in the last few years, highlighting the. In the event of alterations, either within species groups, or within the environment, entire ecosystems can begin to change. Although it may take considerable time for local extinction to occur, certainly experiments could be conducted in a grassland 6 biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human wellbeing. Biodiversity loss is the extinction of species plant or animal worldwide, and also the local reduction or loss of species in a certain habitat. By the year 2030, it is estimated that more than 60% 4. Linking ecosystems functions and ecosystem services olaf bastian 1, karsten grunewald. For the second printing of his book, may 1974 added an alternative. Following the ma, the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity. Biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services 5 1 introduction this chapter explores current understanding of the relationships between biodiversity, the structure and functioning of ecosystems, and the provision of ecosystem services.
452 440 736 1273 432 1313 995 1472 1060 877 1104 733 118 164 134 488 953 1214 1419 1370 1487 987 545 695 794 565 983 95 461 1090