1. Outline Community Ecology Ecosystem Ecology
Indirect effects, Keystone species, Invasive species
Biodiversity: importance and evaluation
The new paradigm in ecology: communities in flux
Conservation of species interactions
Ecosystem Ecology
Ecosystems of special concern (Marine and Tropical)
Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Ecosystem services

2. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function
redundant
rivet
idiosyncratic
Species Richness

3. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: Ecotron Experiments
Trophic Level
Low Diversity: 9 spp.
Medium Diversity: 7 spp. (+ L)
High diversity: 16 spp. (+ L +M)
2º consumers: Aphid parasitoid, + Whitefly parasitoid
1º consumers: Aphid, Snail, Slug, + Aphid, + Whitefly
1º producers: 2 plant spp., + 3 plant spp., + 11 plant spp.
decomposers: Earthworms, Collembola (2 spp.), + Collembola (3 spp.), +Collembola (3 spp)

4. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: Ecotron Experiments
Predators
Herbivores
Plants
Trophic Level
Low Diversity: 9 spp.
Medium Diversity: 7 spp. (+ L)
High diversity: 16 spp. (+ L +M)
2º consumers: Aphid parasitoid, + Whitefly parasitoid
1º consumers: Aphid, Snail, Slug, + Aphid, + Whitefly
1º producers: 2 plant spp., + 3 plant spp., + 11 plant spp.
decomposers: Earthworms, Collembola (2 spp.), + Collembola (3 spp.), +Collembola (3 spp)
Decomposers
9 spp.
15 spp.
31 spp.
Naeem, S., et al Empirical evidence that declining biodiversity may alter the performance of terrestrial ecosystems. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B

5. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: Ecotron Experiments
Productivity was highest in high diversity communities and lowest in low diversity communities
Below ground decomposition was not different between treatments
Water retention was different between treatments, but with no clear relationship to biodiversity

6. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: Ecotron Experiments
Depending on ecosystem process considered, results supported each hypothesis for the relationship between diversity and function

7. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: BioCON

8. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: BioCON

9. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: BioCON

10. Evenness and Ecosystem Function
Kentucky bluegrass, dandelion, and wild strawberry planted at 3 levels of evenness (1.5:1:1, 5:1:1, 12:1:1)
Evenness
Wilsey, B.J. and C. Potvin Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: importance of species evenness in an old field.

11. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function: Some Caveats
Tilman (26 spp.)
Wilsey (3 spp.)
Naeem (31 spp.)
Reich (16 spp.)
Tilman, D Biodiversity: Population versus ecosystem stability. Ecology 77:

12. Conclusions: Diversity and Ecosystem Function
Plant production may decline as regional and local diversity declines
Ecosystem resistance to environmental perturbations, such as drought, may be lessened as biodiversity is reduced
Ecosystem processes such as soil nitrogen levels, water use, plant productivity, and pest and disease cycles may become more variable as diversity declines.
From: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes. Naeem, S. et al. Issues in Ecology Report 2, Ecological Society of America

13. Ecosystem Services purification of air and water
mitigation of droughts and floods
generation and preservation of soils and renewal of their fertility
detoxification and decomposition of wastes
pollination of crops and natural vegetation / dispersal of seeds
cycling and movement of nutrients
control of the vast majority of potential agricultural pests
maintenance of biodiversity
protection of coastal shores from erosion by waves
partial stabilization of climate / moderation of weather extremes
From: Ecosystem Services: Benefits Supplied to Human Societies by Natural Ecosystems. G.C. Daily et al. Issues in Ecology Report 4, Ecological Society of America

14. Lyme Disease

15. Ecosystem Services: The Dilution Effect