Functions found in ecosystems, resulting from interactions between living organisms, their diversity and the ecosystem functions provided by the biological community. While the physical and chemical processes contributing to ecosystem functioning can be measured relatively easily such measures do not tell much about the complex biological and physical interactions that drive the ecosystem processes. The two main areas where the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem function have been studied are the relationship between diversity and productivity and the relationship between diversity and community stability. More biologically diverse communities appear to be more productive than are less diverse communities, and they appear to be more stable in the face of perturbations.
FUNCTIONAL BIODIVERSITY
