Ecosystem science: a new approach in the analysis of functional processes in natural and human transformed terrestrial ecosystems
Although Tansley originally proposed the ecosystem concept in 1935, ecosystem science underwent significant development in the last 20 years, as in this period it has been consolidated with concepts and methods arisen in convergent disciplines, such as ecosystem genetics, ecological stoichiometry,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sociedad Botánica de México, A. C.
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Botanical Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/3074 |
| _version_ | 1811219917470433280 |
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| author | Bruno Chávez-Vergara Enrico A. Yepez Felipe García-Oliva |
| author_facet | Bruno Chávez-Vergara Enrico A. Yepez Felipe García-Oliva |
| author_sort | Bruno Chávez-Vergara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Although Tansley originally proposed the ecosystem concept in 1935, ecosystem science underwent significant development in the last 20 years, as in this period it has been consolidated with concepts and methods arisen in convergent disciplines, such as ecosystem genetics, ecological stoichiometry, global ecology, and ecosystem services. The objective of this paper is to review new concepts and methods of water, energy, and nutrient dynamics research in terrestrial ecosystems to contribute to generate a new theoretical framework in the field of ecosystem science. From this review, a new conceptual definition of ecosystem is required based on three key issues: (a) the integration of functional processes at different spatial and temporal scales to understand the ecosystem dynamics in its environmental context; (b) the concept of resource (i.e., water or nutrients) use efficiency as a key metric for ecosystem function; and (c) the role of biological species in ecosystem functioning, using the genetic framework. These new concepts and methods are necessary to advance in the research on ecosystem functioning and resilience in the context of the current environmental crisis that includes processes such as ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and global climate change. Finally, this new conceptual definition must be linked to evolutionary theory and global ecology research.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T07:34:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cdb8a58eff7b4629a66ef6b1766034d5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2007-4298 2007-4476 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T07:34:02Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Sociedad Botánica de México, A. C. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Botanical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-cdb8a58eff7b4629a66ef6b1766034d52022-12-22T03:42:00ZengSociedad Botánica de México, A. C.Botanical Sciences2007-42982007-44762022-08-01100Special10.17129/botsci.3074Ecosystem science: a new approach in the analysis of functional processes in natural and human transformed terrestrial ecosystemsBruno Chávez-Vergara0Enrico A. Yepez1Felipe García-Oliva2Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de MéxicoDepartamento de Ciencias del Agua y Medio Ambiente, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón, SonoraInstituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán Although Tansley originally proposed the ecosystem concept in 1935, ecosystem science underwent significant development in the last 20 years, as in this period it has been consolidated with concepts and methods arisen in convergent disciplines, such as ecosystem genetics, ecological stoichiometry, global ecology, and ecosystem services. The objective of this paper is to review new concepts and methods of water, energy, and nutrient dynamics research in terrestrial ecosystems to contribute to generate a new theoretical framework in the field of ecosystem science. From this review, a new conceptual definition of ecosystem is required based on three key issues: (a) the integration of functional processes at different spatial and temporal scales to understand the ecosystem dynamics in its environmental context; (b) the concept of resource (i.e., water or nutrients) use efficiency as a key metric for ecosystem function; and (c) the role of biological species in ecosystem functioning, using the genetic framework. These new concepts and methods are necessary to advance in the research on ecosystem functioning and resilience in the context of the current environmental crisis that includes processes such as ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and global climate change. Finally, this new conceptual definition must be linked to evolutionary theory and global ecology research. https://www.botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/3074ecosystemsenergyfunctional biodiversity nutrientsresilienceresource use efficiencywater |
| spellingShingle | Bruno Chávez-Vergara Enrico A. Yepez Felipe García-Oliva Ecosystem science: a new approach in the analysis of functional processes in natural and human transformed terrestrial ecosystems Botanical Sciences ecosystems energy functional biodiversity nutrients resilience resource use efficiency water |
| title | Ecosystem science: a new approach in the analysis of functional processes in natural and human transformed terrestrial ecosystems |
| title_full | Ecosystem science: a new approach in the analysis of functional processes in natural and human transformed terrestrial ecosystems |
| title_fullStr | Ecosystem science: a new approach in the analysis of functional processes in natural and human transformed terrestrial ecosystems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ecosystem science: a new approach in the analysis of functional processes in natural and human transformed terrestrial ecosystems |
| title_short | Ecosystem science: a new approach in the analysis of functional processes in natural and human transformed terrestrial ecosystems |
| title_sort | ecosystem science a new approach in the analysis of functional processes in natural and human transformed terrestrial ecosystems |
| topic | ecosystems energy functional biodiversity nutrients resilience resource use efficiency water |
| url | https://www.botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/3074 |
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