Do ecosystems have functions?
Ecol Evol
; 13(9): e10458, 2023 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37701024
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).
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Ecol Evol
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article