Thanks, Juan; I do appreciate the reference, but I am looking for a simper
answer than that--a scientifically-based explanation of what ecosystem function
means as an actual or theoretical feature of actual ecosystems. I am definitely
not interested in ". . . an anthropocentric concept (as humans depend on
ecosystems to survive) because is described as the capacity of the natural
processes to provide an array of direct or indirect services or benefits to
humans." I would be delighted to hear a discussion of benefits to humans some
other time, however, but I do not want this discussion to wander off the
central, very basic question now.
WT
----- Original Message -----
From: Juan Alvez
To: Wayne Tyson
Cc: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Visualizing functional diversity
Hi Wayne,
You can best visualize ecosystem functions in a paper written 10 years ago by
De Groot and others,
(Ref: de Groot, R.S., Wilson, M.A., Boumans, R.M.J., 2002. A typology for the
classification, description and valuation of ecosystem functions, goods and
services. Ecological Economics 41, 393-408.).
It describes four main ecosystem functions (regulation [climate, nutrient
cycling, polination], habitat [refugia, nursery, etc.], information [scientific
info, recreation, cultural and aesthetic] and production [food, genetic and
medicinal resources, raw materials, etc.] functions).
It is certainly an anthropocentric concept (as humans depend on ecosystems to
survive) because is described as the capacity of the natural processes to
provide an array of direct or indirect services or benefits to humans.
Best,
Juan
On 9/26/2012 10:11 PM, Wayne Tyson wrote:
Please describe function in ecosystems.
WT
----- Original Message ----- From: "Katharine Miller" <kmill...@alaska.edu>
To: <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 4:07 PM
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Visualizing functional diversity
Hello,
I have used Rao's quadratic entropy to evaluate functional diversity
between
a number of estuaries for which I also have a GIS database. I would like
to
be able to visualize which sites are more functionally similar across the
region to evaluate patterns in dispersal, etc.
I know it is possible to use the pairwise functional beta diversity values
as a distance matrix in a Mantel test or multivariate regression on
distances matrices (MRM) when comparing functional diversity to, for
example, environmental data. Would it also be appropriate to use these
values in a PAM or other clustering method to identify estuaries that are
more/less similar in functional diversity?
This is likely to sound like a very naive question, but I have done an
extensive literature search and have not found where this has been done
before - perhaps because it is a bad idea for other reasons?
Any insights and/or references on this approach would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you
-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1427 / Virus Database: 2441/5293 - Release Date: 09/26/12
--
Juan P. Alvez, PhD
Pasture Program Technical Coordinator
UVM Extension, Center for Sustainable Agriculture
106 High Point Center, Suite 305
Colchester VT, 05446
Phone: 802-656-6116
Fax: 802-656-8874
jal...@uvm.edu | www.uvm.edu/sustagctr
UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to
work
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1427 / Virus Database: 2441/5294 - Release Date: 09/27/12
