Ecosystem services

Definition

Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from natural ecosystems, including the provisioning of resources, regulation of environmental processes, and cultural enrichment. These services are essential for maintaining human well-being and include clean water, fertile soil, pollination of crops, and climate regulation, connecting closely to health and environmental sustainability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ecosystem services are typically classified into four categories: provisioning services (like food and water), regulating services (like climate and disease control), cultural services (like recreational and spiritual benefits), and supporting services (like nutrient cycling).
2. The loss of biodiversity can directly impact ecosystem services, as diverse ecosystems tend to be more resilient and provide more stable and varied services.
3. Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and urbanization threaten ecosystem services by degrading natural habitats and disrupting ecological balance.
4. Investing in conservation and restoration of ecosystems can enhance the delivery of ecosystem services, benefiting both nature and human populations.
5. The One Health approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and ecosystem health, recognizing that degradation of ecosystems can lead to emerging viral threats.

Review Questions

• How do ecosystem services contribute to human health and well-being?
  • Ecosystem services play a critical role in supporting human health and well-being by providing essential resources like clean air, water, and food. They also regulate environmental processes such as climate stability and disease control. For instance, healthy wetlands filter pollutants from water supplies, while diverse ecosystems can help control outbreaks of infectious diseases. This interconnectedness highlights how maintaining ecosystem health directly benefits public health.
• Discuss the implications of ecosystem service loss for emerging viral threats.
  • The loss of ecosystem services can create conditions that facilitate the emergence of viral threats. When ecosystems are degraded, wildlife may move closer to human populations in search of resources, increasing the likelihood of zoonotic transmissions. Deforestation and habitat destruction can lead to higher incidences of diseases such as Ebola and COVID-19 by disrupting natural barriers between wildlife and humans. Therefore, protecting ecosystem services is crucial for preventing future pandemics.
• Evaluate how the One Health approach integrates ecosystem services into managing emerging viral threats.
  • The One Health approach evaluates the links between human health, animal health, and ecosystem services, advocating for an integrated management strategy to combat emerging viral threats. By recognizing that ecosystem degradation affects biodiversity and increases disease transmission risks, this approach promotes the conservation of natural habitats as a preventive measure. It suggests that improving ecosystem health through sustainable practices can mitigate risks associated with zoonotic diseases and enhance overall public health resilience.

Related terms

Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, which contributes to the resilience and productivity of that ecosystem.

Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often relying on maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Ecological Footprint: A measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems, representing the amount of natural capital used by a person or community.