w angielskim funkcjonuje "ecological function". Załączam link do google books i publikacji, gdzie znajdziemy:

Many bacteria have developed a very powerful ecological function: that of ingesting organic molecules (toxics, oils, etc) and reducing a portion of them to less harmful substances and minerals. Mineralizing bacteria, since they metabolize toxic organic compounds (and return part of the molecule to harmless mineral matter) can be amazingly abundant in many ecosystems, and play an influential role in detoxifying soils and waters in local and regional ecosystems and the Ecosphere as a whole.

(http://www.ecospherics.net/pages/MosqEcoFun5.html)

http://books.google.pl/books?id=Scxo50Qxy7cC&pg=PA18&lpg=PA1...