Non‐linearity in ecosystem services: temporal and spatial variability in coastal protection

Abstract

w ww ww w. .f fr ro on nt ti ie er rs si in ne ec co ol lo og gy y. .o or rg g C oastal ecosystems and the services they provide are under global siege. Climate change, nutrient loading, habitat degradation, food web alteration, and pollution all threaten their existence (Silliman et al. 2005;Orth et al. 2006;Halpern et al. 2008). Quantifying the economic values of services provided and incorporating these values into socioeconomic analyses is key to conserving these benefitgenerating ecosystems (NRC 2005;Hein et al. 2006). Currently, with few exceptions (eg Farnsworth 1998;Gaston 2000;Petersen et al. 2003;Dobson et al. 2006;Aburto-Oropeza et al. 2008), a major underlying assumption of the valuation process is that the quantity of an ecosystem function varies linearly with independent characteristics and forcing variables, such as ecosystem size, seasonality, disturbance, and species interactions (Barbier et al. 2008a). However, the responses these independent variables generate in ecosystem functions are highly dynamic and non-linear across both space and time (Farnsworth 1998). For example, the function of wave attenuation by some seagrasses may be at its maximum during summer, when plants are reproducing (Chen et al. 2007), at medium levels in spring and fall, and non-existent during winter, when density and biomass are low. Furthermore, many ecological functions are likely to be characterized by a tendency to level off (ie asymptotic relationship) or change dramatically (ie ecological thresholds) over time and space, as is the case with certain ecological processes, such as population growth, predator functional responses, and species-area relationships (Cain et al. 2008). However, such non-linear relationships between ecological traits and ecosystem function, and ecosystem function and service delivery, have not been explored in depth, quantitatively or conceptually (except see Aburto-Oropeza et al. 2008).Improvements in the understanding and quantification of non-linearities in ecosystem functions are likely to provide more realistic ecosystem service values and also to improve ecosystem-based management (EBM) practices (Barbier et al. 2008a). Current conservation decision making often takes into account only the qualitative benefits of ecosystems (eg whether or not a habitat is a fish nursery, rather than the value of the fisheries it maintains), as quantitative measures are generally unavailable.

Patrones de urbanización en la biodiversidad de humedales urbanos en Concepción metropolitano

“…Se encuentran entre los ecosistemas más importantes del planeta por su rol en los ciclos biogeoquímicos, incluyendo el hidrológico (Mitsh & Gosselink, 2000) y el de carbono (Adame et al, 2013). Asimismo, son esenciales en la provisión de diversos servicios ecosistémicos (Koch et al, 2009). En este sentido los humedales insertos en áreas urbanas y periurbanas, ofrecen regulación microclimática local atenuando las islas de calor, depuración de contaminantes, drenaje de aguas lluvia, mitigación de procesos erosivos y espacios para la recreación (Bolund & Hunhammar, 1999;MEA, 2005;Moreno et al, 2010).…”

Double Insurance in Dealing with Extremes: Ecological and Social Factors for Making Nature-Based Solutions Last

“…Examples include coastal ecosystems that provide a physical barrier from storm surges (Costanza et al 2006;Koch et al 2009), open land and permeable surfaces that protect from flooding through percolation (Farrugia et al 2013) and urban trees and forests that mitigate heat waves (Jenerette et al 2011;Depietri et al 2012). Ecosystems differ from the more inert physical elements of many 'conventional' solutions.…”

Uniendo ingeniería y ecología: la protección costera basada en ecosistemas

“…Una característica fundamental de las DBN frente a otro tipo de defensas es su comportamiento dinámico y no lineal frente a las acciones [50] y su capacidad de adaptarse al cambio climático [19,51]. Los ecosistemas también enfrentan amenazas derivadas del cambio climático, como son el aumento del nivel del mar, la acidificación, cambios en salinidad y temperatura [5], pero cuentan con mecanismos para adaptarse a las condiciones cambiantes si se proporcionan las condiciones adecuadas [51,52].…”