Ecosystem functioning
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Definition of Ecosystem functioning:
2 definitions:
(1) 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]; (2) Ecosystem functioning reflects the collective life activities of plants, animals, and microbes and the effects these activities - feeding, growing, moving, excreting waste, etc. - have on the physical and chemical conditions of their environment[2].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.
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
- ↑ Naeem, S., Chapin III, F.S. Costanza, R., Ehrlich, P.R., Golley, F.B., Hooper, D.U., Lawton, J.H., O'Neill, R.V., Mooney, H.A., Sala, O.E., Symstad, A.J. and Tilman, D. 1999. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes. Issues in Ecology 4. Published by the Ecological Society of America.