Ecosystem Services

Definition

Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from natural ecosystems, which include provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services. These services are crucial for human survival and well-being, as they provide resources like food and clean water, regulate climate and disease, support biodiversity, and offer recreational and spiritual benefits. Understanding how these services are affected by climate change is vital for effective conservation and sustainable management strategies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Climate change can disrupt ecosystem services by altering habitats, species distributions, and the timing of natural events such as flowering or migration.
2. Terrestrial ecosystems like forests play a significant role in carbon storage, helping to mitigate climate change effects by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
3. Marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs and mangroves, provide coastal protection from storms and erosion, illustrating the importance of preserving these habitats against climate change impacts.
4. Loss of biodiversity due to climate change can weaken ecosystem resilience, making it more difficult for ecosystems to recover from disturbances and maintain their essential services.
5. Effective management of ecosystem services can enhance adaptation strategies to climate change by promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource use.

Review Questions

• How do ecosystem services contribute to human well-being in the face of climate change?
  • Ecosystem services are fundamental to human well-being as they provide essential resources like food, clean water, and materials while regulating environmental conditions such as climate. In the context of climate change, these services become even more crucial as they help mitigate impacts by maintaining biodiversity, enhancing resilience against extreme weather events, and providing recreational spaces. Understanding the link between these services and climate stability is important for developing strategies that support both ecosystems and human communities.
• Evaluate the effects of climate change on both terrestrial and marine ecosystem services.
  • Climate change significantly impacts terrestrial ecosystem services through altered precipitation patterns, temperature changes, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. These alterations can lead to shifts in plant and animal species distribution, affecting food production and water availability. Similarly, marine ecosystems face threats such as ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures that disrupt coral reefs' ability to provide habitat and protection. Both ecosystems demonstrate a need for integrated management approaches that address these challenges while preserving essential services.
• Assess the importance of preserving biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem services amid climate change pressures.
  • Preserving biodiversity is critical for sustaining ecosystem services in the face of climate change because diverse ecosystems are generally more resilient to disturbances. Biodiversity enhances the stability and productivity of ecosystems, allowing them to adapt better to changing conditions. When species are lost due to climate pressures, the ability of ecosystems to provide vital services such as carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and water purification is diminished. Thus, conservation efforts must prioritize biodiversity to ensure that ecosystem services remain functional for future generations.

Related terms

Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, which contributes to the resilience and functioning of ecosystems and the services they provide.

Climate Regulation: The processes by which ecosystems influence the Earth's climate, including carbon sequestration and influencing local weather patterns.

Sustainability: The ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often linked to maintaining ecosystem services.