1. Naomi Radke, seecon international gmbh
Ecosystem Services
Naomi Radke, seecon international gmbh

2. Copy it, adapt it, use it – but acknowledge the source!
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Copy it, adapt it, use it – but acknowledge the source!
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3. Contents
Introduction
Ecosystem Services
Changes in Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being
Substitutability and Well-Being
Drivers of Ecosystem Change
Wetland Services Under Stress
References

4. What are Ecosystems? (1/2)
1. Introduction
What are Ecosystems? (1/2)
Ecosystem:
Dynamic complex and interaction of living organisms (humans, animals, plants, microorganisms, ..) and the non-living environment (air, water, mineral soil, ...)
Interaction of living organisms and the non-living environment through water cycle, nutrient cycle and energy flows
Example: interaction between water and plant through water cycle.
Source: [Accessed: ]

5. What are Ecosystems? (2/2)
1. Introduction
What are Ecosystems? (2/2)
Example: The Marine Ecosystem
Source: [Accessed: ]

6. Humans within the Ecosystems (1/2)
1. Introduction
Humans within the Ecosystems (1/2)
Depend entirely on a functioning ecosystem
e.g. quantity and quality of water
Have a major impact on the health of an ecosystem
e.g. exploitation of groundwater through excessive irrigation
e.g. pollution through inadequate sanitation
Humans and the water cycle.
Source: [Accessed: ]

7. Humans within the Ecosystems (2/2)
1. Introduction
Humans within the Ecosystems (2/2)
Therefore:
Sustainable sanitation and water management
are crucial for a more sustainable
ecosystem management.

8. Types of Ecosystem Services (1/2)
Ecosystem Services = benefits people obtain from ecosystems
Provisioning services
Products from ecosystems: e.g. Food, timber, water
Regulating services
Benefits from regulation of ecosystem processes: e.g. Water purification, control of climate, diseases, floods
Cultural services
Spiritual and recreational benefits
Supporting services
Maintain the three other services: e.g. Water and nutrient cycles, photosynthesis, crop pollination

9. Types of Ecosystem Services (2/2)
Demand for these services have been growing over the last decades.
Enhancement of production of crops, livestock, aquaculture
Negative impact on other services like water regulation
Unsustainable water withdrawals for irrigation of agricultural land % of global irrigation withdrawals are estimated to be unsustainable. Source: MA (2005).

10. Components of Human Well-Being
3. Changes in Ecosystems and Human Well-Being
Components of Human Well-Being
General components are:
Security
Basic material for a good life
Health
Good social relations
Freedom in choice and action, which is enhanced by the previous components

11. Shortages of Ecosystem Services Affect Human Well-Being
3. Changes in Ecosystems and Human Well-Being
Shortages of Ecosystem Services Affect Human Well-Being
Linkages between ecosystem services and human well-being. Source: MA (2005).

12. Only Partial Substitutability!
4. Substitutability and Human Well-Being
Only Partial Substitutability!
e.g. Substitutability of natural water purification:
Limited amount of clean water from water filters
BUT
dependence on economic status!

13. 5. Drivers of Ecosystem Change
Indirect drivers (1/2)
Demography: global population doubled in the past 40 years
Economy:
increase of global economic activity sevenfold between 1950 and 2000
Taxes and subsidies increase resource consumption (e.g. Increase food production  increase water consumption)
Socio-Politics: a.o. Public participation  increase in multilateral environmental agreements

14. 5. Drivers of Ecosystem Change
Indirect drivers (2/2)
Culture and Religion: influence on consumption behaviour and environmental stewardship
Science and Technology: e.g. Advances in fishing industry  depletion of marine fish stock

15. 5. Drivers of Ecosystem Change
Direct drivers
Habitat change
In terrestrial ecosystems especially land-cover change to cropland
Overexploitation
Overfishing in marine ecosystems
Invasive species
Pollution
Esp. Freshwater ecosystems
Climate change

16. Human Reliance on Wetland Services
6. Wetland Services Under Stress
Human Reliance on Wetland Services
Population growth  more people rely on wetland services
Freshwater supply
Natural water purification
Aquifer recharge

17. Agriculture and Wetland Services
6. Wetland Services Under Stress
Agriculture and Wetland Services
Population growth  more people rely on wetland services
This can result in:
Regional water scarcity due to irrigation
Eutrophication of water bodies through excessive fertilization
Source: [Accessed: ]
Source: [Accessed: ]

18. 7. References
MA (2005): Ecosystems and Human Well-Being. Synthesis. Washington: World Resources Institute. URL: [Accessed: ]

19. “Linking up Sustainable Sanitation, Water Management & Agriculture”
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