Biodiversity in Ecosystems - Linking Structure and Function

Description

InTech, 2015. — 627 p. — ISBN 978-953-51-2028-5The term biodiversity has become a mainstream concept that can be found in any newspaper at any given time. Concerns on biodiversity protection are usually linked to species protection and extinction risks for iconic species, such as whales, pandas and so on. However, conserving biodiversity has much deeper implications than preserving a few (although important) species. Biodiversity in ecosystems is tightly linked to ecosystem functions such as biomass production, organic matter decomposition, ecosystem resilience, and others. Many of these ecological processes are also directly implied in services that the humankind obtains from ecosystems. The first part of this book will introduce different concepts and theories important to understand the links between ecosystem function and ecosystem biodiversity. The second part of the book provides a wide range of different studies showcasing the evidence and practical implications of such relationships.A Theoretical Concept for Understanding of Functional Diversity and Its Influence on Ecosystem FunctioningImportance of Allelopathy as Peudo-Mixotrophy for the Dynamics and Diversity of PhytoplanktonFunctional Redundancy and Ecosystem Function — The Soil Microbiota as a Case StudyBiodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning in Tropical Habitats — Case Studies and Future Perspectives in Atlantic Rainforest and Cerrado LandscapesClimate Change, Range Shifts and Multitrophic InteractionsResponding to Change — Criteria and Indicators for Managing the Transformation of Vegetated Landscapes to Maintain or Restore Ecosystem Diversity Maintaining Ecosystem Function by Restoring Forest Biodiversity – Reviewing Decision-Support Tools that link Biology, Hydrology and GeochemistryMicrobial Assembly in Agroecosystems — From the Small Arise the BigImpact of Organic Farming on BiodiversityHydromorphology and Biodiversity in Headwaters — An Eco- Faunistic Substrate Preference Assessment in Forest Springs of the German Subdued MountainsBiodiversity and Conservation of Temporary Ponds — Assessment of the Conservation Status of Veiga de Ponteliñares, NW Spain (Natura 2000 Network), Using Freshwater InvertebratesA First Approach to Assess the Impact of Bottom Trawling Over Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems on the High Seas of the Southwest AtlanticAgrorural Ecosystem Effects on the Macroinvertebrate Assemblages of a Tropical RiverEcohidrology and Nutrient Fluxes in Forest Ecosystems of Southern ChileEcological Flexibility of the Top Predator in an Island Ecosystem — The Iriomote Cat Changes Feeding Patterns in Relation to Prey AvailabilityGrasses (Poaceae) of Easter Island — Native and Introduced Species DiversityPlant Structure in the Brazilian Neotropical Savannah SpeciesSocial Perception and Supply of Ecosystem Services — A Watershed Approach for Carbon Related Ecosystem ServicesThe Importance of Large Trees in Shrine Forests for the Conservation of Epiphytic Bryophytes in Urban AreasMiombo Woodlands Research Towards the Sustainable Use of Ecosystem Services in Southern AfricaEcological Restoration in Conservation UnitsActions for the Restoration of the Biodiversity of Forest Ecosystems in CubaBiodiversity in Metal-Contaminated Sites – Problem and Perspective – A Case StudyUnderutilized Crops and Intercrops in Crop Rotation as Factors for Increasing Biodiversity on FieldsProtected Areas and Ecosystem Services — Integrating Grassland Conservation with Human Well-Being in South AfricaShortage of Biodiversity in Grassland