Ecosystem Services
What are they?
We rely on and benefit from ecosystems for a wide variety of things, even if we don't realize it. Ecosystems are capable of recycling nutrients, preventing soil erosion, pollinating plants, filtering air and water, moderating flooding, providing goods, and a wide variety of other examples. These goods and services from ecosystems that provide benefits to humans are known as ecosystem services.
These services are often discussed in terms of the value that they provide. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, they have an estimated value of $125 trillion.
Provisioning
These are goods we get from the ecosystem. This includes things such as food, raw materials (wood, fibers, fuels, etc.), water, and medicinal resources.
Regulating
These work to moderate natural conditions. There are a wide variety of ways that ecosystems can do this, such as carbon sequestration, filtering of water and air, providing shade, providing buffers against natural disasters, decomposition, reducing erosion, pollination, and biological control.
Supporting
These help to allow for other services to occur. A very large example of this is the providing of habitats for species, but you also think of nutrient cycling, photosynthesis, and the formation of soil.
Cultural
These are non-material benefits provided by ecosystems. Examples of this include recreation, tourism, aesthetic appreciation or inspiration, and spiritual and symbolic appreciation.
These services can be strongly influenced by human activities, and many are threatened. Pesticide use, the over-cultivation of grass lawns, and the decrease of local biodiversity threaten pollinator species and decrease pollination. Overharvesting can deplete populations of plants and animals. Deforestation removes habitats, increases flood and landslide risks, and releases CO2. Pollution can threaten wildlife populations. Wetlands are being drained and filled in, removing habitats and increasing the risk of flooding.