Choosing effect and response traits based on the organizational theory
of functions and the new mechanistic philosophy of science
- Jeferson Coutinho,
- Luana Poliseli,
- Blandina Viana,
- Charbel El-Hani
Blandina Viana
Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil
Author ProfileAbstract
The study of functional diversity has been gaining increasing prominence
in Ecology, as a way of evaluating how the species traits affect
ecosystem processes. Several empirical studies indicate a strong
relationship between trait diversity and ecosystem attributes, and high
values of functional diversity are an indication of the robustness of a
given ecosystem. However, there are important theoretical differences
between the studies that evaluated these relationships, which lead to
relevant methodological differences. Here we will discuss the need to
choose response and effect traits in a theoretically-sound manner,
arguing for their choice based on their functional contribution to
ecosystem process as conceived by the organizational theory of
ecological functions. From this perspective, the contribution of effect
traits to the organizational closure of an ecological system can provide
a fundamental criterion for their choice in empirical studies.
Similarly, we point out criteria for choosing response traits.
Furthermore, we will argue that the new mechanistic philosophy of
science can be used in studies of functional diversity as a way to
robustly establish cause and effect relationships in empirical studies.
Finally, we will model an example of the application of the approach
proposed in the paper in pollination ecology, indicating its heuristic
potential for empirical studies.21 Sep 2024Submitted to Oikos 22 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
22 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
22 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned