Ecological marginalization stems from the transformation of ecosystems in a way that alters their functional integrity through the elimination of their production and decomposition functions. Ecosystem production becomes the subject of quantitative exploitation, while decomposition is affected by the use of local ecosystems as receivers of various wastes.  Consequently, social groups, communities, regions, or countries may lose their rural resource base, as they can be deprived of access to ecosystems and exposed to environmental risks. This outcome is usually inherent in the direct and indirect control over natural resources by economic actors, the state, and international as well as global institutions. In response, citizens with their given organizational resources and interpretive frames, as well as economic and political opportunity structures, elect either to react by mobilizing at the grassroots to protect their ecological base, health and economy, or, alternatively, to continue bearing the costs without visible signs of contention.