Do ecosystems have functions?
Abstract ‘Ecosystem function’ and ‘ecosystem functioning’ became core keywords in the ecological literature on ecosystems, their structure, development and integrity. We investigate functions from the perspective of causal contributions to higher capacities, as selected effects, as contributions to...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10458 |
| _version_ | 1827698816558563328 |
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| author | Ulrich Krohs Martin Zimmer |
| author_facet | Ulrich Krohs Martin Zimmer |
| author_sort | Ulrich Krohs |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract ‘Ecosystem function’ and ‘ecosystem functioning’ became core keywords in the ecological literature on ecosystems, their structure, development and integrity. We investigate functions from the perspective of causal contributions to higher capacities, as selected effects, as contributions to the stability and self‐maintenance of organisms and as type‐fixed effects. Based on an in‐depth discourse in philosophy of science, we conclude that ecosystems do not have functions in any sense that goes beyond a mere description of a causal contribution. We recommend the terms ‘ecosystem function’ and ‘ecosystem functioning’ be avoided in the ecological literature (and beyond). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:36:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-06aa044c3ffc46f2bd494bbda7a6a335 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:36:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-06aa044c3ffc46f2bd494bbda7a6a3352023-11-21T07:26:25ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582023-09-01139n/an/a10.1002/ece3.10458Do ecosystems have functions?Ulrich Krohs0Martin Zimmer1Philosophisches Seminar Westfälische Wilhelms‐Universität Münster Münster GermanyLeibniz‐Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung, Bremen & Fachbereich 2 Biologie/Chemie Universität Bremen Bremen GermanyAbstract ‘Ecosystem function’ and ‘ecosystem functioning’ became core keywords in the ecological literature on ecosystems, their structure, development and integrity. We investigate functions from the perspective of causal contributions to higher capacities, as selected effects, as contributions to the stability and self‐maintenance of organisms and as type‐fixed effects. Based on an in‐depth discourse in philosophy of science, we conclude that ecosystems do not have functions in any sense that goes beyond a mere description of a causal contribution. We recommend the terms ‘ecosystem function’ and ‘ecosystem functioning’ be avoided in the ecological literature (and beyond).https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10458dynamic equilibriumecosystem functionecosystem‐functioningecosystem integrityecosystem processecosystem service |
| spellingShingle | Ulrich Krohs Martin Zimmer Do ecosystems have functions? Ecology and Evolution dynamic equilibrium ecosystem function ecosystem‐functioning ecosystem integrity ecosystem process ecosystem service |
| title | Do ecosystems have functions? |
| title_full | Do ecosystems have functions? |
| title_fullStr | Do ecosystems have functions? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Do ecosystems have functions? |
| title_short | Do ecosystems have functions? |
| title_sort | do ecosystems have functions |
| topic | dynamic equilibrium ecosystem function ecosystem‐functioning ecosystem integrity ecosystem process ecosystem service |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10458 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ulrichkrohs doecosystemshavefunctions AT martinzimmer doecosystemshavefunctions |