Elsevier

Ecological Indicators

Original Articles

Ecosystem services nomenclature: A systems ecology perspective of the cascade framework

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Open up access

Highlights

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Different ecosystem service definitions and interpretations create as well much ambiguity.

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The pour model is used equally framework, and Systems Environmental as theoretical basis.

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The notions of biomass information and interaction enrich a refreshed conceptualization.

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The pour framework shifts from a 'two dimensional' to a 'scope' perspective.

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This perspective tin can emphasize the ecological dimension and its complex reality.

Abstruse

Ecosystem services inquiry faces several challenges stemming from the plurality of interpretations of classifications and terminologies. In this paper we identify two main challenges with current ecosystem services nomenclature systems: i) the inconsistency across concepts, terminology and definitions, and; ii) the mix up of processes and stop-country benefits, or flows and assets. Although different ecosystem service definitions and interpretations can be valuable for enriching the research mural, it is necessary to address the existing ambivalence to better comparability amongst ecosystem-service-based approaches. Using the pour framework equally a reference, and Systems Environmental every bit a theoretical underpinning, we aim to address the ambivalence across typologies. The cascade framework links ecological processes with elements of human well-existence following a pattern like to a production chain. Systems Ecology is a long-established discipline which provides insight into circuitous relationships betwixt people and the surround. Nosotros present a refreshed conceptualization of ecosystem services which tin support ecosystem service assessment techniques and measurement. We combine the notions of biomass, data and interaction from organisation ecology, with the ecosystem services conceptualization to improve definitions and clarify terminology. Nosotros debate that ecosystem services should be divers as the interactions (i.e. processes) of the ecosystem that produce a change in human being well-being, while ecosystem components or goods, i.e. countable as biomass units, are only proxies in the assessment of such changes. Furthermore, Systems Ecology tin can support a re-estimation of the ecosystem services conceptualization and related applied inquiry, where more emphasis is needed on the underpinning complexity of the ecological organization.

Keywords

Systems ecology

Ecosystem operation

Cascade framework

Ecological theory

Ecosystem service nomenclature

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© 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.