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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

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

8. 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