Ecosystem function

The concept of ecosystem function (Engl. Ecosystem function , and ecosystem function) describes a series of functional phenomena that ecological systems can be assigned. According to the different uses of the functional term in ecology, four main meanings can be distinguished:

1. In a purely descriptive sense, ecosystem function refers to changes in state parameters of an ecological system over time and is therefore largely identical to the ecosystem process . Similarly, ecosystem function can also refer to the causal chains within ecological systems;
2. likewise purely descriptive, ecosystem function can also mean the overall functioning of the system with regard to its self-preservation or the specific function of one part of the system for another part or for the whole system;
3. Ecosystem function can also be understood more abstractly than in meaning (2) as a “role” that elements of the ecosystem assume;
4. Finally, in a normatively relevant sense, ecosystem function can refer to an ecosystem service that the ecological system provides for human users.

Since a mix of descriptive and normative meanings is largely preventable epistemologically undesirable and when using the term ecosystem services for meaning (4), some authors advocate the concept of ecosystem function as sharp as possible from the concept of ecosystem services to separate. From an anthropocentric perspective, ecosystem service focuses solely on the benefits of the ecological systems for humans. According to this concept, ecosystem functions are used in particular when a purely descriptive, value-free or only weakly valuable scientific perspective is in the foreground (see meanings 1–3).

Examples of ecosystem functions

A honey bee pollinating a fruit tree blossom. The pollination of flowers is an important ecological function.

According to Hummel et al., De Groot and biology-online.org, the following processes can be included:

• Primary production , secondary production
• Denitrification
• Mineralization
• Decomposition
• Bottoming out
• Filtering and storage of water
• Biochemical cycles: nitrogen cycle, phosphorus / sulfur cycles
• Pollination , distribution of pollen

See also

• Species diversity , biodiversity
• Ecosystem service
• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

literature

• Stefan Baumgärtner (2002): The economic value of biological diversity . P. 5ff. ( PDF )

Web links

• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
• Schaldach: Introduction to Environmental Sciences

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1. ↑ K. Jax (2005): Function and “functioning” in ecology: what does it mean? In: OIKOS Volume 111 (3): 641–648
2. ↑ Barkmann, J .; Glenk, K .; Keil, A .; Leemhuis, C .; Dietrich, N .; Gerold, G .; Marggraf, R. (2008): Confronting unfamiliarity with ecosystem functions: The case for an ecosystem service approach to environmental valuation with stated preference methods. In: Ecological Economics 65: 48-62.
3. ^ Hummel, Matthias: Biodiversity conflict field . Agenda-Verl. (Darmstädter interdisciplinary contributions, 7), Münster 1999, p. 3ff.
4. ↑ de Groot et al. (2002): "essential life support systems" ( PDF )
5. ↑ Ecosystem function. In: Biology-Online.org. Retrieved May 8, 2011 .