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Understanding Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services are vital benefits provided by the environment that support human life and well-being, categorized into provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. Provisioning services include food, fiber, and fuel, while regulating services help maintain ecosystem balance, such as climate regulation and water purification. Cultural services enhance quality of life through recreation and aesthetic value, and supporting services are essential ecological processes that sustain all other services.

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Rolyne Mae M. Estalilla
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93 views2 pages

Understanding Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services are vital benefits provided by the environment that support human life and well-being, categorized into provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. Provisioning services include food, fiber, and fuel, while regulating services help maintain ecosystem balance, such as climate regulation and water purification. Cultural services enhance quality of life through recreation and aesthetic value, and supporting services are essential ecological processes that sustain all other services.

Uploaded by

Rolyne Mae M. Estalilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services are the essential benefits that environments provide to human society.
These services contribute to economic development, environmental stability, and overall well-
being. Understanding the types of ecosystem services helps in recognizing their importance and
the need for their conservation. Ecosystem services refer to the direct and indirect benefits that
humans derive from nature. These services support life, provide essential resources, regulate
environmental conditions, and enhance human well-being. They are categorized into four main
types: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

1. Provisioning Services Provisioning services are the products obtained from ecosystems that
humans use for survival and economic activities. These include:

 Food – Crops and animals that provide essential nutrients for human consumption.

 Feed - Plants, fish meal, and other agricultural byproducts serve as food for livestock and
aquaculture.

 Fiber - Materials such as cotton, wool, silk, and timber are used for clothing,
construction, and industry.

 Fuel - Firewood, charcoal, and biofuels provide energy for cooking, heating, and
industrial processes.

 Pharmaceuticals - Many medicines, including antibiotics and pain relievers, are derived
from plants, fungi, and marine organisms.

2. Regulating Services Regulating services help maintain the balance and stability of
ecosystems, ensuring that they function effectively. These include:

 Climate Regulation - Plants absorb carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change.

 Flood Control - Wetlands and mangroves act as natural barriers against floods and storm
surges.

 Pollination - Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators contribute to agricultural


productivity by fertilizing plants.

 Water Purification - Wetlands and forests filter pollutants, providing clean drinking
water.

 Disease Regulation - Natural ecosystems help control pest populations and disease
outbreaks.


3. Cultural Services Cultural services provide non-material benefits that contribute to the
quality of human life and societal well-being. These include:

 Recreation and Ecotourism - Activities such as hiking, swimming, and wildlife viewing
provide relaxation and economic benefits through tourism.

 Aesthetic Value - Natural landscapes enhance beauty and contribute to artistic


inspiration.

 Spiritual and Religious Significance - Many ecosystems hold cultural or religious


importance for communities.

 Cultural Heritage - Traditional knowledge and practices are often tied to ecosystems
and their resources.

4. Supporting Services Supporting services are fundamental ecological processes that sustain all
other ecosystem services. These include:

 Soil Formation - The breakdown of organic matter and weathering of rocks create fertile
soil.

 Nutrient Cycling - The movement of essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus
supports plant and animal life.

 Primary Production - Plants convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis,


forming the base of food chains.

 Biodiversity Maintenance - Diverse species contribute to ecosystem resilience and


productivity.

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