ECOSYSTEM Function Service Re: Is biodiversity an ecosystem function?
Isn't "maintenance of biodiversity" the function? The unimpaired function would be the maintenance of biodiversity at or near the level expected for the type of system in question. The next question, then, is "What functions depend upon maintenance of biodiversity?". Maybe we should say "ecosystem process", because "function" might sort of imply a human-centered, value-laden bias, like a less-specific version of "service". Joe > From:Wayne Tyson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Once upon a time, long, long ago, I was blatting on > about ecosystem > function. Then Dick Vogl said, "I don't know what > 'ecosystem > function' is." That set me to thinking--critically, > about my > assumptions, because I considered Vogl to be an > ecology prodigy, if > not genius. One thing about him--he thought WAY out > of the box, but > always tied it to more or less conventional theory > so those around > him would have something "solid" to cling to while > Vogl spun his magic. > > So perhaps terHorst's remarks should at least not be > overlooked, > perhaps given serious thought. > > 1. What IS ecosystem function? > > 2. What is an "ecosystem service?" > > 3. What are the differences between the two? > > 4. Are they related at all, and if so, just how? > > 5. Where does "biodiversity" fit into each? > > 6. Is there more to biodiversity than numbers? > > 7. Are those numbers valid in a dynamic sense over > time? > > WT __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: ECOSYSTEM Function Service Re: Is biodiversity an ecosystem function?
Wayne, The questions I have reflected on and can comment on are the last three: The distinction between functions and services I thought has always been an human based distinction where services are those functions that have important human values. Don't ask me though to then list those that are functions and those that are services. For question number 5 in my biodiversity is the provider of functions. For six, absolutely it is more than numbers, composition plays a huge role, and the functional ecologist, would argue that the traits of the species present in a community or ecosystem are important. We also have plenty of evidence that for particular function, one species can indeed bet better than many, at least over the short term, which also answers number 7, the numbers, or identities must be able to change over time, which is in large part the foundation of the diversity stability debate. Cheers, Fabrice On Apr 20, 2007, at 11:33 AM, Wayne Tyson wrote: > I'm a bit confused too. terHorst makes a good point, but I suspect > that if there is a truth beneath the semantics and the labels and the > presumptions and the homeocentric bias, it might be at once more > complex and simple that we understand--or are capable of > understanding. But that's why ecology is endlessly interesting, eh? > > Once upon a time, long, long ago, I was blatting on about ecosystem > function. Then Dick Vogl said, "I don't know what 'ecosystem > function' is." That set me to thinking--critically, about my > assumptions, because I considered Vogl to be an ecology prodigy, if > not genius. One thing about him--he thought WAY out of the box, but > always tied it to more or less conventional theory so those around > him would have something "solid" to cling to while Vogl spun his > magic. > > So perhaps terHorst's remarks should at least not be overlooked, > perhaps given serious thought. > > 1. What IS ecosystem function? > > 2. What is an "ecosystem service?" > > 3. What are the differences between the two? > > 4. Are they related at all, and if so, just how? > > 5. Where does "biodiversity" fit into each? > > 6. Is there more to biodiversity than numbers? > > 7. Are those numbers valid in a dynamic sense over time? > > WT > > At 07:47 AM 4/20/2007, Casey terHorst wrote: >> I've always had difficulty understanding how a static measure >> (such as >> biodiversity, or even something like biomass) can be called a >> function. This >> is partly just a semantic issue, but largely a real issue as well. >> >> Casey >> >> -- >> Casey terHorst >> Department of Biological Science >> CON 115 >> Florida State University >> Tallahassee, FL 32306 >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> Quoting Fabrice De Clerck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: >> >>> I have a quick question for the listserve for which I would be >>> interested in hearing people's opinions, and experiences. >>> >>> The question is: Is biodiversity an ecosystem service? >>> >>> Those of us that work in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning >>> studies typically regard biodiversity at the provider of services >>> and >>> functions. Tilman's biodiversity and productiity, the biodiversity >>> and stability work, biodiversity and pollination (Klein), >>> biodiversity and pest control (Perfecto). >>> >>> Meanwhile in much of the development and economics literature, >>> biodiversity itself is a unique service and function where it is not >>> uncommon to see people state that "we will work with farmers to >>> improve the capacity of coffee farms to provide critical ecosystem >>> services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity and water." >>> >>> Are both correct or is it important to distinguish between >>> biodiversity serving as a function, and biodiversity as the provider >>> of services. >>> >>> All comments are welcome on- or off the listserve. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> Fabrice >>> >>> * >>> Fabrice De Clerck PhD >>> >>> Landscape Ecologist/Ecologo de Paisaje >>> Dept. Agricultura y Agroforesteria >>> CATIE 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica >>> Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> Phone: (506) 558-2596 >>> Fax: (506) 558-2046 >>> Web: www.catie.ac.cr >>> >>> Adjunct Associate >>> Tropical Agriculture Program >>> The Earth Institute at Columbia University >>> Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> Skype: fadeclerck >>> Web:www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/mvp/ >>> *** >>> "Everything not given is lost" >>> * Fabrice De Clerck PhD Landscape Ecologist/Ecologo de Paisaje Dept. Agricultura y Agroforesteria CATIE 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (506) 558-2596 Fax: (506) 558-2046 Web: www.catie.ac.cr Adjunct Associate Tropical Agriculture Program The Earth Institute at Columbia University Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype: fadeclerck Web:www.earthinstitute.columb
ECOSYSTEM Function Service Re: Is biodiversity an ecosystem function?
I'm a bit confused too. terHorst makes a good point, but I suspect that if there is a truth beneath the semantics and the labels and the presumptions and the homeocentric bias, it might be at once more complex and simple that we understand--or are capable of understanding. But that's why ecology is endlessly interesting, eh? Once upon a time, long, long ago, I was blatting on about ecosystem function. Then Dick Vogl said, "I don't know what 'ecosystem function' is." That set me to thinking--critically, about my assumptions, because I considered Vogl to be an ecology prodigy, if not genius. One thing about him--he thought WAY out of the box, but always tied it to more or less conventional theory so those around him would have something "solid" to cling to while Vogl spun his magic. So perhaps terHorst's remarks should at least not be overlooked, perhaps given serious thought. 1. What IS ecosystem function? 2. What is an "ecosystem service?" 3. What are the differences between the two? 4. Are they related at all, and if so, just how? 5. Where does "biodiversity" fit into each? 6. Is there more to biodiversity than numbers? 7. Are those numbers valid in a dynamic sense over time? WT At 07:47 AM 4/20/2007, Casey terHorst wrote: >I've always had difficulty understanding how a static measure (such as >biodiversity, or even something like biomass) can be called a function. This >is partly just a semantic issue, but largely a real issue as well. > >Casey > >-- >Casey terHorst >Department of Biological Science >CON 115 >Florida State University >Tallahassee, FL 32306 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Quoting Fabrice De Clerck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > > I have a quick question for the listserve for which I would be > > interested in hearing people's opinions, and experiences. > > > > The question is: Is biodiversity an ecosystem service? > > > > Those of us that work in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning > > studies typically regard biodiversity at the provider of services and > > functions. Tilman's biodiversity and productiity, the biodiversity > > and stability work, biodiversity and pollination (Klein), > > biodiversity and pest control (Perfecto). > > > > Meanwhile in much of the development and economics literature, > > biodiversity itself is a unique service and function where it is not > > uncommon to see people state that "we will work with farmers to > > improve the capacity of coffee farms to provide critical ecosystem > > services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity and water." > > > > Are both correct or is it important to distinguish between > > biodiversity serving as a function, and biodiversity as the provider > > of services. > > > > All comments are welcome on- or off the listserve. > > > > Cheers, > > Fabrice > > > > * > > Fabrice De Clerck PhD > > > > Landscape Ecologist/Ecologo de Paisaje > > Dept. Agricultura y Agroforesteria > > CATIE 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica > > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Phone: (506) 558-2596 > > Fax: (506) 558-2046 > > Web: www.catie.ac.cr > > > > Adjunct Associate > > Tropical Agriculture Program > > The Earth Institute at Columbia University > > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Skype: fadeclerck > > Web:www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/mvp/ > > *** > > "Everything not given is lost" > >
