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Quantifying the evidence for biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning and services.

Patricia Balvanera1, Andrea B Pfisterer, Nina Buchmann

  • 1Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, UNAM, Morelia, Mexico. pbalvane@oikos.unam.mx

Ecology Letters
|September 16, 2006
PubMed
Summary
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Biodiversity loss impacts ecosystem functioning and services. This meta-analysis confirms biodiversity generally enhances ecosystem services, supporting a precautionary management approach.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Growing concern exists regarding biodiversity loss impacts on ecosystem functioning, services, and human well-being.
  • Experimental evidence linking biodiversity and ecosystem process rates is compelling but debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively assess the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning using meta-analysis.
  • To synthesize findings from 50 years of experimental biodiversity research.

Main Methods:

  • Meta-analysis of 446 biodiversity effect measures from experimental studies up to June 2004.
  • Analysis focused on primary producer manipulations and measurements (319 cases).
  • Included studies on grasslands (252 measures).

Main Results:

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  • Biodiversity effects on ecosystem processes are weaker with less controlled manipulations and at the ecosystem level compared to the community level.
  • Effects are negative at the population level and decline with increased trophic links.
  • Biodiversity effects on stability ('insurance') are not stronger than on performance.
  • Biodiversity shows positive effects on most assessed ecosystem services.

Conclusions:

  • Biodiversity generally has positive effects on ecosystem services.
  • A precautionary approach to biodiversity management is recommended pending further confirmation.
  • Understanding biodiversity's role in ecosystem functioning is critical for conservation efforts.