Philosophical Topics

Volume 47, Issue 1, Spring 2019

The Philosophy of Ecology

Functions in Ecosystem Ecology
A Defense of the Systemic Capacity Account

In this essay, I argue that the selected effects approach to ecosystem functions is inadequate and defend the adequacy of the systemic capacity account. I additionally argue that rival persistence enhancing and organizational approaches face serious problems when applied to ecosystem ecology. Lastly, I explore how the systemic capacity approach applies to recent experimental work on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.