Ecosystem Functioning Book

Acknowledgements xiii

1 Introduction 1

2 Setting the scene: the context of investigating ecosystem functioning 9

2.1 Case study: exotic species and ecosystem functioning on Navarino Island 9

2.2 The fields of application for 'ecosystem functioning' 22

2.3 Conclusions from this chapter 27

3 What do we need for a functioning ecosystem? The debate on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning 29

3.1 A brief look at the history of the biodiversity - ecosystem functioning debate 31

3.1.1 Two diversity debates in ecology 32

3.1.2 Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning research: some general trends 37

3.2 Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: what do we measure? 39

3.2.1 Biodiversity and ecosystem processes 39

3.2.2 From ecosystem processes to overall ecosystem functioning 50

3.2.3 Excursus: ecosystem functioning, functional groups, and functional diversity 53

3.2.4 Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: some consensus and many open questions 55

3.3 Conclusions from this chapter 57

4 Becoming general: what is ecosystem functioning? 59

4.1 At the heart of the problem: the meanings of 'functioning' 60

4.1.1 From function to functioning 61

4.1.2 Excursus: ecosystem services 66

4.2 Function and functioning: teleology looming 72

4.2.1 Two different views on wholes and parts 72

4.2.2 Ecosystem functioning and teleology 74

4.2.3 Functions in organisms, societies, and ecosystems 76

4.3 The meanings of 'ecosystem' 83

4.3.1 Case study: destroying or maintaining a functioning ecosystem? Wildlife management in Yellowstone National Park 84

4.3.2 A tool for clarifying and visualising different ecosystem definitions: the SIC scheme 101

4.4 Conclusions from this chapter 110

4.4.1 General conclusions 110

4.4.2 Ecosystem functioning as a conceptual cluster: related terms and concepts 112

5 Ecosystem functioning: science meets society 113

5.1 Between constructivism and scientific realism: determining the limits of ecosystem functioning 113

5.1.1 Are ecosystems mere constructs? 113

5.1.2 Implications for ecosystems and their functioning 118

5.1.3 Does the variety of ecosystem concepts promote environmental relativism? 123

5.1.4 Case study: alternative stable states as distinct modes of ecosystem functioning 126

5.2 Values, norms, and ecosystem functioning: a necessary and difficult unity 134

5.3 Case study: societal choices and ecosystem management: the Ecosystem Approach of the Convention on Biodiversity 138

5.3.1 The development of ecosystem management approaches 138

5.3.2 The Ecosystem Approach of the Convention on Biodiversity 139

5.3.3 'Ecosystem functioning' in the Convention on Biodiversity Ecosystem Approach 142

5.4 Conclusions: the roles of science and society in assessing ecosystem functioning 145

5.4.1 General conclusions 145

5.4.2 A network of hybrid concepts 147

6 Assessing ecosystem functioning: some existing approaches 150

6.1 Ecosystem functioning: the baseline 150

6.2 Existing approaches for assessing ecosystem functioning: ecosystem integrity, ecosystem health, ecosystem stability, and ecosystem resilience 153

6.2.1 Ecosystem integrity and health 153

6.2.2 Case study: assessing 'good ecological status' in the European Water Framework Directive 161

6.2.3 Ecosystem stability and resilience 168

6.2.4 Other approaches 177

6.3 Conclusions from this chapter 179

7 Putting ecosystem functioning concepts into practice: a classification and some guidelines 182

7.1 Ecosystem functioning concepts in practice: a classification 182

7.1.1 Ecosystem functioning and the generic-type ecosystem 185

7.1.2 Ecosystem functioning and the process-focused-type ecosystem 187

7.1.3 Ecosystem functioning and the physiognomic-type ecosystem 191

7.1.4 Ecosystem functioning and the species-specific-type ecosystem 195

7.1.5 What is the use in describing different ecosystem functioning types? 196

7.2 Some guidelines for conceptualising and assessing ecosystem functioning 197

7.2.1 Choices 198

7.2.2 Procedures 205

7.3 Case study: ecological restoration and ecosystem functioning 207

7.3.1 Restoration of post-mining sites in Lower Lusatia 211

7.3.2 Beyond Lusatia: ecological restoration and ecosystem functioning 223

7.4 Conclusions and outlook 226

7.4.1 Ecosystem functioning as a research programme? 227

7.4.2 Is ecosystem functioning good? 229

7.4.3 The role(s) of scientists in ecosystem functioning research (and beyond) 231

7.4.4 How useful is the ecosystem functioning concept? 233

References 236

Index 269