Open AccessFunctional diversity: a key aspect in the provision of ecosystem services
Author(s) -
Jesús BallesterosCorrea,
Jairo Pérez Torres
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
revista colombiana de ciencia animal recia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2027-4297
DOI - 10.24188/recia.v8.n1.2016.232
Subject(s) - ecosystem services , ecosystem , biodiversity , diversity (politics) , environmental resource management , ecosystem diversity , goods and services , ecology , total human ecosystem , ecosystem management , key (lock) , business , ecosystem health , biology , environmental science , economics , political science , law , market economy
Functional diversity is one of the crucial aspects of the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services. In this review paper, we analyze how biodiversity contributes to human well-being through the provision of goods and ecosystem services, and related aspects of ecological processes and their relationship with the functional diversity of ecosystems are presented. It aims to explain in a simple way, the concepts related to functional diversity, the importance of the functional groups and the role of functional traits of the species as a key element in the responses of organisms to environmental changes. Understanding the relationship between ecosystem processes, functional diversity of species and providing ecosystem services, allow better management of natural ecosystems and their biodiversity, enabling conservation and sustainable use of different types of services provided by ecosystems.