ABSTRACT
Summary of key points:
Ecosystems are valued according to social preferences.
Ecosystem components can change in the face of environmental change in terms of areal extent, structure, species composition, function and adaptations which may be physiological and behavioural and according to predisposition.
Social preferences about ecosystem states are expressed in terms of utilitarian and spiritual/intrinsic value where the criteria include putative “naturalness” capacity to support preferred species and products of commercial value.
