Ecosystem Services

Definition

Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans directly or indirectly obtain from the natural environment and functioning ecosystems. These services are crucial for supporting and fulfilling human well-being and economic activities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ecosystem services are categorized into four main types: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.
2. Provisioning services include the production of food, fresh water, timber, and other raw materials obtained from nature.
3. Regulating services include the regulation of climate, floods, disease, and water purification provided by natural ecosystems.
4. Cultural services include the non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems, such as recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, and spiritual fulfillment.
5. Supporting services, such as nutrient cycling and soil formation, are the underlying processes that maintain the other ecosystem services.

Review Questions

• Explain how ecosystem services are related to the concept of international environmental issues.
  • Ecosystem services are closely tied to international environmental issues because many of these services, such as climate regulation, biodiversity, and the provision of natural resources, transcend national borders. Degradation or depletion of ecosystem services in one country can have significant impacts on other countries, leading to the need for international cooperation and agreements to manage these shared environmental resources effectively.
• Describe how the concept of ecosystem services relates to the tradeoff between economic output and environmental protection.
  • The tradeoff between economic output and environmental protection is often framed in terms of the value of ecosystem services. Economic activities that degrade or deplete natural ecosystems can diminish the flow of valuable goods and services provided by those ecosystems, which can have significant economic and social costs. Conversely, protecting and sustainably managing ecosystems can maintain the long-term provision of ecosystem services, supporting economic development and human well-being. Recognizing and accounting for the economic value of ecosystem services is crucial for making informed decisions that balance economic growth and environmental protection.
• Analyze how the concept of ecosystem services can be used to inform policy decisions related to international environmental issues and the tradeoff between economic output and environmental protection.
  • The concept of ecosystem services can be used to inform policy decisions by providing a framework for quantifying the economic and social value of the benefits that natural ecosystems provide. By assigning monetary or non-monetary values to ecosystem services, policymakers can better understand the costs of environmental degradation and the potential benefits of conservation and sustainable management. This information can then be used to develop policies and regulations that incentivize the protection of ecosystems, promote the sustainable use of natural resources, and balance economic development with environmental protection at the international level. Incorporating the value of ecosystem services into decision-making processes can help governments, businesses, and communities make more informed choices that support long-term sustainability and human well-being.

Related terms

Natural Capital:

The stock of natural resources and ecosystems that provide a flow of valuable goods and services to people, such as clean air, fresh water, and fertile land.

Environmental Valuation: The process of assigning monetary or non-monetary values to the goods and services provided by ecosystems and natural resources.

Sustainability:

The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, by maintaining the long-term health and productivity of natural ecosystems.