Ecosystem functioning
Definition of Ecosystem functioning:
Ecosystem functioning describes the combined effects of individual functions, with the overall rate of functioning being governed by the interplay of abiotic (physical and chemical) and/or biotic factors[1].
This is the common definition for Ecosystem functioning, other definitions can be discussed in the article
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An ecosystem is a dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. Ecosystems are not only important in terms of the species they contain, but also in terms of the functions they carry out.
Marine ecosystems provide many important functions at a global, national and regional level. The seas provide a unique set of goods and services to society, including moderation of climate, processing of waste and toxicants, protection of the coastline, provision of vital food and medicines and are a source of employment for a significant number of people. Our coasts provide space to live and directly and indirectly create wealth, including millions of jobs in industries such as fishing, aquaculture and tourism.
There is broad consensus among scientists that functioning of an ecosystem is related to its biodiversity. Changes in biodiversity will result in altered ecosystem functions, i.e. higher and more efficient functioning rates come from highly diverse areas. This is presumed to be because diverse communities are more likely to contain a greater range of functional traits and environmental sensitivities. High diversity therefore entails opportunities for more efficient resource use as well as providing stability to ecosystem functions in variable environments and in the face of disturbance[2]. Alternatively, systems with species-poor communities are theoretically likely to be functionally poorer, less resistant (capacity to resist change) and resilient (capacity to recover from change) to disturbance than systems with species-rich communities[3].
The consequences of biodiversity loss for the functioning of marine ecosystems in largely unknown. Many ecosystems around the world are currently undergoing profound changes in species composition due to the influence of human activity. Although not supported by an assessment of a large number of ecosystem studies[4], it is generally believed that these changes have, more often than not, reduced diversity.
References
- ↑ Reiss, J., Bridle, J.R., Montoya, J.M. and Woodward, G. 2009. Emerging horizons in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning research. Trends Ecol. Evol., 24: 505-514
- ↑ Chapin, F.S., Walker, B.H., Hobbs, R.J., Hooper, D.U., Lawton, J.H., Sala, O.E. and Tilman D. 1997. Biotic control over the functioning of ecosystems. Science, 277(5325): 500-504
- ↑ Strong, J.A., Andonegi, E., Bizsel. K.C., Danovaro, R., Elliott, M., Franco, A., Garces, E., Little, S.,. Mazik, K., Moncheva, S., Papadopoulou, N., Patrício, J., Queiros, A.M., Smith, C., Stefanova, K. and Solaun, O. 2015. Marine biodiversity and ecosystem function relationships: The potential for practical monitoring applications. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 161: 46-64
- ↑ Elahi, R., O’Connor, M.I., Byrnes, J.E.K., Dunic, J., Eriksson, B.K., Hensel, M.J.S. and Kearns, P.J. 2015. Recent Trends in Local-Scale Marine Biodiversity Reflect Community Structure and Human Impacts. Current Biology 25: 1938–1943
