Biodiveristy-ecosystem function and save a ecosystem Flashcards
Intro
Biotic interactions, including predation, competition, mutualism, and symbiosis, are fundamental in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the proper functioning of ecosystems. These interactions regulate energy flow, nutrient cycling, and the provision of essential ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and pollination. For instance, pollination, a mutualistic interaction between plants and pollinators, supports plant reproduction, which in turn sustains herbivores and higher trophic levels (Imperial College, 2022). The variety of species and their interactions contribute to ecosystem resilience, enabling ecosystems to recover from disturbances and continue providing valuable services to humans.
2nd para - biodiversity ecosystem function
Understanding how biotic interactions underpin biodiversity-ecosystem function (BEF) relationships is essential for restoring degraded ecosystems. A loss of biodiversity typically disrupts these interactions, leading to declines in ecosystem services. For example, the decline in species richness can reduce ecosystem productivity, affecting the ability of ecosystems to capture carbon or purify water. Conversely, promoting biodiversity can enhance ecosystem resilience by stabilizing interactions between species. Restoring biotic interactions, such as reintroducing keystone species or facilitating plant-pollinator relationships, has been shown to enhance ecosystem function (Franco et al., 2022). The concept of ecosystem services emphasizes the value of biodiversity in sustaining human wellbeing, as ecosystems that are rich in species diversity can recover more quickly from disturbances, such as droughts or fires, and continue to provide essential services. A high level of biodiversity stabilizes ecosystem functions by buffering against environmental fluctuations and ensuring that essential processes, such as nutrient cycling and energy flow, continue uninterrupted (Franco et al., 2022). For example, diverse plant communities can enhance soil fertility and water retention, while varied predator-prey dynamics can control herbivore populations, promoting plant growth and enhancing ecosystem productivity.
3rd para restoration process
Ecosystem restoration projects, which aim to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, can apply this knowledge by focusing on restoring key biotic interactions. This approach can involve activities such as reforesting areas to revive plant-pollinator relationships, restoring wetlands to improve water filtration and flood regulation, or reintroducing predator species to control herbivore populations and promote plant regeneration (ScienceDirect, 2023). By enhancing biodiversity and re-establishing vital biotic interactions, ecosystem services can be restored and strengthened, fostering long-term ecological and human benefits.
cONC
In summary, biotic interactions are the foundation of biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships. Their preservation and restoration are crucial for maintaining ecosystem services, and a better understanding of these dynamics can inform effective strategies for ecosystem restoration, ensuring the resilience of ecosystems and the services they provide to society
