This research line focuses on the ecosystems as basic and fundamental units of energy and matter processing in the Earth, particularly on the relationships between forcing functions (sun radiation, water and wind flows) and biogeochemical processes taking place through the ecosystems and between ecosystems and their process-structure relationships. Emphasis is allocated to identify drivers of change for human degraded ecosystems at different spatial, temporal and biological scales and to provide tools, protocols and guidelines for their ecological restoration. The main interest of this research line is the interplay between ecosystem function and biodiversity, as the biological structure of ecosystems. Major ecosystem functions e.g., productivity and stability, water and solids retention, biogeochemical cycling (mostly carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) are related to the structural patterns of biodiversity in ecosystems, which vary at different spatial and temporal scales and also because of human-induced changes.   OBJECTIVES Identify and evaluate relationships between community structure and physical and biogeochemical processes regulating ecosystems using a systemic approach to address ecosystem function complexity.   1. Organisms structuring activities influence physical properties and nutrient cycling; 2. Nitrogen cycling in intensively used systems; 3. Land-water interfaces as sinks/sources for organic matter and nutrients; 4. Gas exchange as modulated by ecosystem structures; 5. Silt and organic matter accretion; 6. Nutrient cycling in relation to major physical drivers; 7. Environmental stressors regulating structure and functions