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" > >
