Using ecological production functions to link ecological processes to ecosystem services.

ABSTRACT: Ecological production functions (EPFs) link ecosystems, stressors, and management actions to ecosystem services (ES) production. Although EPFs are acknowledged as being essential to improve environmental management, their use in ecological risk assessment has received relatively little attention. Ecological production functions may be defined as usable expressions (i.e., models) of the processes by which ecosystems produce ES, often including external influences on those processes. We identify key attributes of EPFs and discuss both actual and idealized examples of their use to inform decision making. Whenever possible, EPFs should estimate final, rather than intermediate, ES. Although various types of EPFs have been developed, we suggest that EPFs are more useful for decision making if th

SUBMITTER: Bruins RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6089041 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature