Linkages between biodiversity attributes and ecosystem services: a systematic review

Abstract

A systematic literature review was undertaken to analyse the linkages between different biodiversity attributes and 11 ecosystem services. The majority of relationships between attributes and ecosystem services cited in the 530 studies were positive. For example, the services of water quality regulation, water flow regulation, mass flow regulation and landscape aesthetics were improved by increases in community and habitat area. Functional traits, such as richness and diversity, also displayed a predominantly positive relationship across the services, most commonly discussed for atmospheric regulation, pest regulation and pollination. A number of studies also discussed a positive correlation with stand age, particularly for atmospheric regulation. Species level traits were found to benefit a number of ecosystem services, with species abundance being particularly important for pest regulation, pollination and recreation, and species richness for timber production and freshwater fishing. Instances of biodiversity negatively affecting the examined ecosystem services were few in number for all ecosystem services, except freshwater provision. The review showed that ecosystem services are generated from numerous interactions occurring in complex systems. However, improving understanding of at least some of the key relationships between biodiversity and service provision will help guide effective management and protection strategies.

Keywords

Biodiversity; Ecosystem service; Attribute; Trait; Ecosystem function; Network analysis

Published in

Ecosystem Services
2014, volume: 9, pages: 191-203

SLU Authors

• Blicharska, Malgorzata

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network
SLUsystematic
SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre

Global goals (SDG)

SDG6 Clean water and sanitation
SDG15 Life on land

UKÄ Subject classification

Other Earth Sciences

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2014.05.006

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/65586