Difference between revisions of "Ecosystem functioning"

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(New page: == What is ecosystem functioning? == An ecosystem is a dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. E...)
 
 
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{{ Definition| title = Ecosystem functioning
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| definition = 2 definitions:
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(1) Ecosystem functioning describes the combined effects of all natural processes that sustain an ecosystem, i.e. 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<ref>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</ref>;
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(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<ref>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.</ref>.}}
  
== What is ecosystem functioning? ==
 
  
 
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.
 
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.
 
  
The functioning of an ecosystem is related to its biodiversity yet the consequences of biodiversity loss for the functioning of marine ecosystems in largely unknown. Many ecosystems around the world are currently undergoing dramatic changes in species composition due to the influence of human activity. These changes have, more often than not, reduced diversity. Research within the MarBEF network aims to address the role between biodiversity and the functioning of various marine ecosystems, which will make clearer the specific importance of biodiversity and the potential impacts of its loss.
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==Related articles==
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:[[Ecosystem function]]
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:[[Marine Biodiversity]]
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==References==
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<references/>

Latest revision as of 12:30, 4 March 2024

Definition of Ecosystem functioning:
2 definitions:

(1) Ecosystem functioning describes the combined effects of all natural processes that sustain an ecosystem, i.e. 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


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.


Related articles

Ecosystem function
Marine Biodiversity


References

  1. 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
  2. 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.