Browsing by Person "Doppler, Susanne Maria"

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Ökosystem-Funktionen als Kriterium einer Operationalisierung ökologischer Aspekte von Nachhaltigkeit?
(2000) Doppler, Susanne Maria; Böcker, Reinhard
In recent times, against the background of system-theoretical principles, the description of ecosystems as complex, dynamic systems has been strongly promoted. Therefore the capacity of selforganization of ecosystems is strengthened to be integrated into environmental planning processes. The aim of the following work is to point out the limitations and possibilities given by the scientifically-based criterion 'ecosystem-functioning' in the context of sustainability. The investigations are based on a literature-supported analysis and a theoretical argument about the 'function of ecosystems' in relation to the concept of ecosystems. The results of this argument were submitted (1) to a scientific and science-theoretical analysis and criticism as well as considered in the light of (2) environmental protection issues and ethically relevant aspects of the description and observation of the natural world. The aim of this consideration was to establish to what extent the criterion 'ecosystem functioning' is suitable. The central question about limitations and possibilities of the application of the criterion is answered as follows: The criterion 'ecosystem functioning', formulated via system-theoretical principles of dynamic systems does not meet the requirements of both the natural and ethical issues given by the paradigm of sustainability. A possible alternative is to observe ecosystems and the criterion 'ecosystem-functioning' from a utilitarian position of anthroporelativism. The implementation of this perspective in the world of nature through the criterion 'ecosystem functioning' makes it possible (1) to integrate ethical issues of sustainability and (2) to maintain natural values as well as cultural ones in the countryside for this and future generations.