What can ecosystems do for us? Ecosystem Services What can ecosystems do for us?

What are ecosystem services? Ecosystem Services are the processes by which the environment produces resources that we often take for granted such as clean water, timber, and habitat for fisheries, and pollination of native and agricultural plants. Processes provided by healthy ecosystems

PROVISIONING... REGULATING... SUPPORTING... CULTURAL clean drinking water Decomposition of wastes Production of food/water REGULATING... control of climate & disease Air & water purification Control flooding SUPPORTING... nutrient cycles Crops Biodiversity & habitats CULTURAL Spiritual Recreation stewardship

Moderate weather extremes and their impacts Trees help to cool surrounding areas by providing shade and fresh, cooler air through transpiration They also can provide a wind break during storms and decrease erosion during flooding They purify the air by absorbing pollutants in air Store carbon; reduce greenhouse effect

pollinate crops and natural vegetation Bees and other pollinators help maintain biodiversity and help to fertilize crops that wouldn’t otherwise grow without their help Some Examples: Apples, Almonds, Blueberries, Cherries, Avocados, Cucumbers, Onions, Grapefruit, Oranges and Pumpkins

detoxify and decompose wastes Wetlands can remove 20 to 60% of metals in the water, trap and retain 80 to 90% of sediment from runoff eliminate 70 to 90% of entering nitrogen.

BRAINSTORM.... What other ecosystem services can you think of? Make a list at your table.

Ecosystem Services are threatened... Growth of human enterprise... population size; per capita consumption; technologies to produce goods/products Mismatch between short-term needs & long term societal well being Runoff of pesticides, fertilizers, animal wastes Pollution of land, water, air Introduction of exotic species Overharvesting of fisheries Destruction of wetlands Soil erosion Deforestation Urban sprawl