Functional Ecology
Functional Ecology is a branch of ecology which focuses on the functions of species with an ecosystem. Food-webs respond to an integrated complex of abiotic and biotic factors which are reflected in their structure (species assemblages) and inter/intra species density relationships. Thus an ecological system is "functional" and "sustainable" when it works well enough to partition energy in the form of nutrients and waste products in the environment in order to perpetuate itself in space and time. "Functional" can also imply resilience to human biotic and abiotic perturbations. In this sense, a "functional" assemblages of organisms (food web or agroecosystem) can process pollutants, pesticides, sustain agronomic and horticultural production practices and mitigate other environmental stressors to yield various environmental, ecological and aesthetic amenities resulting in sustainable human societies.
Currently, the WhalonLab is doing research in the areas of Orchard Sustainability and Functional Ecosystems.
Resources
Posters and Presentations
Biodiversity: The Clarksville Organic Apple Project
Mite species diversity as a functional ecology measure of sustainability in tree fruit
Effect of organic fungicides on natural enemies in Michigan soybean production
Change in natural enemy population dynamics during reduced risk transition in Michigan tart cherry