Introduction to Regulating Services

Abstract

Bivalves are foundation species with important regulating functions in the ecosystem. This is due to their function as filter feeders, their capacity to extract particles, to regenerate as well as store nutrients and – for the epibenthic bivalves –, their capacity to form hard structures. These services can be applied in many ways as is exemplified in this section. It seems likely that more applicable functions will emerge from the studies reviewed in this section.