An ecosystem is never isolated onto one property, rather ecological communities interact across boundaries of governance. An ecosystem may encompass plots of private as well as public land, and government property. Cardinale et al (2012) explains that biodiversity maintains an ecosystems stability and its capacity to cycles nutrients, further the article explains that disturbances carry up and down trophic levels and can have a large influence on the ecosystems productivity. The choices taken by neighboring proprietors in their use of land undoubtedly affects the overall biodiversity of an ecosystem.
The Cardinale et al (2012) article outlines ecosystems services, roles or provisions that benefit humans. Could these services be considered a sort of commons? After all no single actor controls the ecosystem but all actors are impacted upon biodiversity loss. The negative impacts of lost biodiversity could be an indirect result of ecologic interaction. When there is no uniform governing between imperfect government regulations and possibly unsustainable private use biodiversity falls by the way side. Cardinale’s main point is that more and more studies support the idea that biodiversity is a key facet of life and the growing knowledge base needs to be implemented into policy. Drawing on Acheson there is a dilemma of collective action, there is inaction go combat biodiversity loss because it changes over larger timescales and is difficult qualify changes, as they occur naturally. Closing the gaps between science and policy and informing the public of the benefits they gain from their biodiverse ecosystem are two step toward fostering a supportive community.
http://faculty.wwu.edu/gmyers/esssa/Hardin.html
Institutional Failure in Resource Management
James M. Acheson
Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity
Bradley Cardinale et al.