Perspectiva histórica e estudo de conceitos em ecologia funcional

Abstract

The reciprocal influences between biodiversity and ecosystem function comprise a central objective of ecology. By represent the relationship between the functions of the organisms and environmental processes, the functional perspectives might reveal aspects of the organization and dynamics of biological communities unsolved by traditional approaches. About these points, this study presents a literature research over the emergence and development of general ecological concepts related to biology of communities and functional ecology, including a discussion of the adopted consensus, aims of study and their association with the traditional parameters of research. It was noted that the synthesis and association of taxonomic and functional perspectives may comprise the most promising areas on realization of studies of biodiversity dynamics. However, is still necessary: a well established and concise theoretical support, accurate determinations of adopted parameters and the search for practices for uncover ecological patterns with purposes of generalization.