Evosystem Services: Rapid Evolution and the Provision of Ecosystem Services.

Area of Science:

• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Evolution is the origin of all organisms and ecosystem services.
• The contribution of contemporary evolution to ecosystem services is underappreciated.
• Recent research shows rapid evolution influences ecological communities and functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and establish criteria for studying contemporary evosystem services.
• To explore scenarios where rapid evolution impacts ecosystem services.
• To emphasize the importance of measuring these services for future predictions.

Main Methods:

• Proposing a definition for contemporary evosystem services.
• Developing quantitative criteria for their study.
• Presenting plausible scenarios of their existence.

Main Results:

• Contemporary evolution can shape ecological communities and ecosystem functions.
• Rapid evolution directly affects ecosystem services.
• Management of rapid evolution can benefit future ecosystem services.

Conclusions:

• Contemporary evosystem services are a vital area for research.
• Measuring these services enhances understanding of environmental change impacts.
• Managing rapid evolution offers potential for future ecosystem services.