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2.2 Ecosystem Services

3 min readjanuary 7, 2023

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

are the naturally occurring benefits that we obtain from ecosystems! These services can be divided into four categories:

  1. : These are the products that ecosystems provide, such as food, water, and timber.

  2. : These are the benefits that ecosystems provide in terms of regulating processes, such as climate regulation, water purification, and pest control.

  3. : These are the non-material benefits that ecosystems provide, such as recreational, aesthetic, and .

  4. : These are the services that ecosystems provide that support the other three categories, such as and .

are essential because they contribute to human well-being and quality of life. They also have economic value, as they provide goods and services that can be bought and sold in the market. It is important to manage ecosystems in a way that preserves and enhances their capacity to provide .

Anthropogenic (human-caused environmental change) activity may damage or disrupt . Once impacted, the economic and ecological ramifications are difficult to return to normal.

Provisioning

Ecosystems provide a variety of products. Several are used in households or traded commercially in markets:

  • Food: Ecosystems provide a variety of , such as crops, livestock, seafood, and wild game.

  • Water: Ecosystems provide for drinking and irrigation.
  • Timber: Forests provide wood for building, fuel, lumber, and other purposes.
  • : Many plants have medicinal properties that can be used to treat various ailments.
  • : Some ecosystems, such as wetlands and agricultural land, produce like ethanol and biodiesel.

Regulating

are often taken for granted because we tend not to see them in action. They are considered to be behind the scenes and include the following examples:

Air quality

Water flow

Cultural

Cultural are the non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems:

  1. : Forests, beaches, and parks, are a few of the ecosystems that provide opportunities for people to engage in outdoor recreation activities like hiking, swimming, and picnicking.

  2. : Ecosystems provide beauty and aesthetic value that can improve quality of life and well-being, including the joy people feel from being outdoors in natural spaces!

  3. : Some people derive spiritual or religious significance from ecosystems.

  4. : Ecosystems can provide educational opportunities, such as through nature education programs or field trips.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-ySkJfYuBFqxB.jpg?alt=media&token=d0b360e9-4e5c-4e88-aac8-58318497aee7

National Parks, like Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, are excellent examples of preserving and enjoying the cultural benefits of ecosystems.

Image Courtesy of the U.S. Department of the Interior

Supporting

are necessary for other to function.

For example, allows plants to grow and provide habitats and food. The energy that primary producers create also serves as an energy base for food webs.

Moreover, move the elements and molecules in order to support the existence of the ecosystem. Soil maintenance and are critical components that allow ecosystems to have stability and provide services in other categories.

🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams

Key Terms to Review (26)

Aesthetic values

: Aesthetic values refer to the appreciation and enjoyment of beauty in nature, art, and design. It involves recognizing and valuing the visual, auditory, and sensory qualities that evoke a sense of pleasure or emotional response.

Air quality regulation

: Air quality regulation refers to the set of laws and policies implemented by governments to monitor, control, and improve the quality of air in a specific region or country. It involves measures such as emission standards for industries, vehicle emissions testing, and restrictions on burning certain materials.

Anthropogenic Environmental Change

: Anthropogenic environmental change refers to alterations in natural systems caused by human activities. It includes various forms of pollution (air pollution, water pollution), habitat destruction (deforestation), climate change (global warming), etc.

Biofuels

: Biofuels are renewable energy sources derived from organic matter such as plants or animal waste. They can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels for powering vehicles or generating electricity.

Biogeochemical cycles

: Biogeochemical cycles are natural processes that involve the cycling of elements or compounds through living organisms and their environment.

Biological Control

: Biological control is a method of pest management that uses natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control the population of pests. It involves introducing these organisms into an ecosystem to reduce the number of pests without using harmful chemicals.

Carbon sequestration

: Carbon sequestration is a process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured from the atmosphere or emitted sources and stored long-term instead of being released into the atmosphere. It helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations.

Cultural Services

: Cultural services are the non-material benefits that ecosystems provide to humans, including recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual experiences. These services contribute to our overall well-being and quality of life.

Ecosystem Services

: Ecosystem services refer to the benefits that humans receive from natural ecosystems, such as clean air, water purification, and pollination. These services are essential for our well-being and survival.

Educational values

: Educational values pertain to the importance of knowledge, learning, and understanding in relation to environmental issues. They emphasize the role of education in promoting awareness, critical thinking, and informed decision-making for sustainable practices.

Erosion prevention

: Erosion prevention refers to the implementation of measures or practices to protect soil from being washed away by water or blown away by wind, thus preserving its fertility and preventing land degradation.

Food Sources

: Food sources refer to the various natural resources from which humans obtain their food including plants (fruits, vegetables), animals (meat), fish (seafood), grains (rice), etc.

Fresh water

: Fresh water refers to water that contains low levels of dissolved salts and is suitable for drinking, irrigation, and other human uses. It can be found in rivers, lakes, groundwater, and glaciers.

Medicinal plants

: Medicinal plants are plants that have therapeutic properties and are used in traditional medicine or pharmaceuticals. They contain chemical compounds that can treat diseases, alleviate symptoms, or promote overall well-being.

Natural disaster control

: Natural disaster control encompasses strategies and actions taken to prevent or minimize the damage caused by natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and tsunamis. It includes preparedness measures like early warning systems, evacuation plans, and infrastructure improvements.

Nutrient Cycling

: Nutrient cycling refers to the movement and exchange of essential nutrients (such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) between living organisms and their environment.

Photosynthesis

: Photosynthesis is the process through which green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose (sugar) and oxygen. It is vital for plant growth and releases oxygen into the atmosphere.

Pollination

: Pollination is the process by which pollen grains are transferred from the male reproductive organ (anther) to the female reproductive organ (stigma) of a flower, leading to fertilization and the production of seeds.

Provisioning Services

: Provisioning services refer to the benefits that nature provides in terms of material goods or resources that are directly consumed or used by humans. These services include food, water, timber, and other natural resources.

Recreational Values

: Recreational values refer to the benefits people derive from engaging in outdoor activities and enjoying natural environments. It includes activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife observation.

Regulating Services

: Regulating services are the ecological processes that help maintain balance in ecosystems and regulate important environmental factors. These services include climate regulation, water purification, pest control, and erosion prevention.

Soil Formation

: Soil formation is the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller particles, mixed with organic matter, and transformed into soil over time.

Spiritual values

: Spiritual values relate to the connection between humans and something greater than themselves. They involve beliefs about purpose, meaning, transcendence, morality, ethics, and interconnectedness with nature.

Supporting services

: Supporting services refer to the ecosystem functions that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services. These services include nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production.

Wastewater Treatment

: Wastewater treatment is the process by which pollutants are removed from wastewater before it is released back into the environment. It involves physical, chemical, and biological processes that aim to reduce contaminants to levels that are safe for ecosystems.

Water Flow Regulation

: Water flow regulation refers to the management and control of the quantity, timing, and distribution of water in rivers, streams, and other bodies of water. It involves activities such as dam construction, reservoir operations, and water diversions.

2.2 Ecosystem Services

3 min readjanuary 7, 2023

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

are the naturally occurring benefits that we obtain from ecosystems! These services can be divided into four categories:

  1. : These are the products that ecosystems provide, such as food, water, and timber.

  2. : These are the benefits that ecosystems provide in terms of regulating processes, such as climate regulation, water purification, and pest control.

  3. : These are the non-material benefits that ecosystems provide, such as recreational, aesthetic, and .

  4. : These are the services that ecosystems provide that support the other three categories, such as and .

are essential because they contribute to human well-being and quality of life. They also have economic value, as they provide goods and services that can be bought and sold in the market. It is important to manage ecosystems in a way that preserves and enhances their capacity to provide .

Anthropogenic (human-caused environmental change) activity may damage or disrupt . Once impacted, the economic and ecological ramifications are difficult to return to normal.

Provisioning

Ecosystems provide a variety of products. Several are used in households or traded commercially in markets:

  • Food: Ecosystems provide a variety of , such as crops, livestock, seafood, and wild game.

  • Water: Ecosystems provide for drinking and irrigation.
  • Timber: Forests provide wood for building, fuel, lumber, and other purposes.
  • : Many plants have medicinal properties that can be used to treat various ailments.
  • : Some ecosystems, such as wetlands and agricultural land, produce like ethanol and biodiesel.

Regulating

are often taken for granted because we tend not to see them in action. They are considered to be behind the scenes and include the following examples:

Air quality

Water flow

Cultural

Cultural are the non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems:

  1. : Forests, beaches, and parks, are a few of the ecosystems that provide opportunities for people to engage in outdoor recreation activities like hiking, swimming, and picnicking.

  2. : Ecosystems provide beauty and aesthetic value that can improve quality of life and well-being, including the joy people feel from being outdoors in natural spaces!

  3. : Some people derive spiritual or religious significance from ecosystems.

  4. : Ecosystems can provide educational opportunities, such as through nature education programs or field trips.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-ySkJfYuBFqxB.jpg?alt=media&token=d0b360e9-4e5c-4e88-aac8-58318497aee7

National Parks, like Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, are excellent examples of preserving and enjoying the cultural benefits of ecosystems.

Image Courtesy of the U.S. Department of the Interior

Supporting

are necessary for other to function.

For example, allows plants to grow and provide habitats and food. The energy that primary producers create also serves as an energy base for food webs.

Moreover, move the elements and molecules in order to support the existence of the ecosystem. Soil maintenance and are critical components that allow ecosystems to have stability and provide services in other categories.

🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams

Key Terms to Review (26)

Aesthetic values

: Aesthetic values refer to the appreciation and enjoyment of beauty in nature, art, and design. It involves recognizing and valuing the visual, auditory, and sensory qualities that evoke a sense of pleasure or emotional response.

Air quality regulation

: Air quality regulation refers to the set of laws and policies implemented by governments to monitor, control, and improve the quality of air in a specific region or country. It involves measures such as emission standards for industries, vehicle emissions testing, and restrictions on burning certain materials.

Anthropogenic Environmental Change

: Anthropogenic environmental change refers to alterations in natural systems caused by human activities. It includes various forms of pollution (air pollution, water pollution), habitat destruction (deforestation), climate change (global warming), etc.

Biofuels

: Biofuels are renewable energy sources derived from organic matter such as plants or animal waste. They can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels for powering vehicles or generating electricity.

Biogeochemical cycles

: Biogeochemical cycles are natural processes that involve the cycling of elements or compounds through living organisms and their environment.

Biological Control

: Biological control is a method of pest management that uses natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control the population of pests. It involves introducing these organisms into an ecosystem to reduce the number of pests without using harmful chemicals.

Carbon sequestration

: Carbon sequestration is a process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured from the atmosphere or emitted sources and stored long-term instead of being released into the atmosphere. It helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations.

Cultural Services

: Cultural services are the non-material benefits that ecosystems provide to humans, including recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual experiences. These services contribute to our overall well-being and quality of life.

Ecosystem Services

: Ecosystem services refer to the benefits that humans receive from natural ecosystems, such as clean air, water purification, and pollination. These services are essential for our well-being and survival.

Educational values

: Educational values pertain to the importance of knowledge, learning, and understanding in relation to environmental issues. They emphasize the role of education in promoting awareness, critical thinking, and informed decision-making for sustainable practices.

Erosion prevention

: Erosion prevention refers to the implementation of measures or practices to protect soil from being washed away by water or blown away by wind, thus preserving its fertility and preventing land degradation.

Food Sources

: Food sources refer to the various natural resources from which humans obtain their food including plants (fruits, vegetables), animals (meat), fish (seafood), grains (rice), etc.

Fresh water

: Fresh water refers to water that contains low levels of dissolved salts and is suitable for drinking, irrigation, and other human uses. It can be found in rivers, lakes, groundwater, and glaciers.

Medicinal plants

: Medicinal plants are plants that have therapeutic properties and are used in traditional medicine or pharmaceuticals. They contain chemical compounds that can treat diseases, alleviate symptoms, or promote overall well-being.

Natural disaster control

: Natural disaster control encompasses strategies and actions taken to prevent or minimize the damage caused by natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and tsunamis. It includes preparedness measures like early warning systems, evacuation plans, and infrastructure improvements.

Nutrient Cycling

: Nutrient cycling refers to the movement and exchange of essential nutrients (such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) between living organisms and their environment.

Photosynthesis

: Photosynthesis is the process through which green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose (sugar) and oxygen. It is vital for plant growth and releases oxygen into the atmosphere.

Pollination

: Pollination is the process by which pollen grains are transferred from the male reproductive organ (anther) to the female reproductive organ (stigma) of a flower, leading to fertilization and the production of seeds.

Provisioning Services

: Provisioning services refer to the benefits that nature provides in terms of material goods or resources that are directly consumed or used by humans. These services include food, water, timber, and other natural resources.

Recreational Values

: Recreational values refer to the benefits people derive from engaging in outdoor activities and enjoying natural environments. It includes activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife observation.

Regulating Services

: Regulating services are the ecological processes that help maintain balance in ecosystems and regulate important environmental factors. These services include climate regulation, water purification, pest control, and erosion prevention.

Soil Formation

: Soil formation is the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller particles, mixed with organic matter, and transformed into soil over time.

Spiritual values

: Spiritual values relate to the connection between humans and something greater than themselves. They involve beliefs about purpose, meaning, transcendence, morality, ethics, and interconnectedness with nature.

Supporting services

: Supporting services refer to the ecosystem functions that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services. These services include nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production.

Wastewater Treatment

: Wastewater treatment is the process by which pollutants are removed from wastewater before it is released back into the environment. It involves physical, chemical, and biological processes that aim to reduce contaminants to levels that are safe for ecosystems.

Water Flow Regulation

: Water flow regulation refers to the management and control of the quantity, timing, and distribution of water in rivers, streams, and other bodies of water. It involves activities such as dam construction, reservoir operations, and water diversions.


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.