One answer to this may be the distinctions made in the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment. Provisioning, regulatory, and supporting ecosystem services are likely to be those that can be generated or improved with greater biodiversity. Cultural ecosystem services (aesthetic, recreational etc.) would include biodiversity as the service itself. Does that make sense?
Rodd On 4/19/07, Fabrice De Clerck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I have a quick question for the listserve for which I would be > interested in hearing people's opinions, and experiences. > > The question is: Is biodiversity an ecosystem service? > > Those of us that work in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning > studies typically regard biodiversity at the provider of services and > functions. Tilman's biodiversity and productiity, the biodiversity > and stability work, biodiversity and pollination (Klein), > biodiversity and pest control (Perfecto). > > Meanwhile in much of the development and economics literature, > biodiversity itself is a unique service and function where it is not > uncommon to see people state that "we will work with farmers to > improve the capacity of coffee farms to provide critical ecosystem > services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity and water." > > Are both correct or is it important to distinguish between > biodiversity serving as a function, and biodiversity as the provider > of services. > > All comments are welcome on- or off the listserve. > > Cheers, > Fabrice > > ***************************************************** > Fabrice De Clerck PhD > > Landscape Ecologist/Ecologo de Paisaje > Dept. Agricultura y Agroforesteria > CATIE 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Phone: (506) 558-2596 > Fax: (506) 558-2046 > Web: www.catie.ac.cr > > Adjunct Associate > Tropical Agriculture Program > The Earth Institute at Columbia University > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Skype: fadeclerck > Web:www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/mvp/ > ******************************************************* > "Everything not given is lost" > -- Rodd Kelsey Animal Behavior Graduate Group U.C. Davis http://sandtiger.dbs.ucdavis.edu/ggc/anb/students/DisplayStudentProfile.cfm?StudentNbr=284
