Question

The ecological services provided by conservation areas are diverse and sometimes not easily understood or appreciated by the general public who may desire quantifiable, economic measures of their value. How would you persuade someone who believes that ecological services are unmeasurable and provide no value to human society that they are in fact valuable?

Answer 1

Ecological services contribute to human well-being. They support directly or indirectly our survival and quality of life

Ecological services can be categorized in to four main types.

1. Provisioning service- these are product that people obtain from ecosystems. These include food, water, raw materials, energy and genetic resources.

Food- very essential to sustain all forms of life and its the ecosystems that provide the conditions for growing, collecting, hunting or harvesting food.

Marine and freshwater fish contribute a significant amount of animal protein to the diets of people worldwide. Aquatic animals provide 15-20 percent of animal proteins to diet. Fish is highly nutritious and contain essential vitamins and minerals - and it a unique source of long chain omega-3 fats.  Animal products play a very important role in human nutrition, especially for micronutrients. Food production like wheat and grain is accomplished through the natural land scapes in the ecosystem.

Raw materials - includes biofuels which are the source of energy and fibers

Fresh water - Crops are heavily dependent on freshwater and 60 percent of all the world's freshwater is used for irrigation purposes. Forests help maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems and provide reliable supplies of clean freshwater. Forests also help prevent soil erosion, reduce sedimentation in reservoirs and mitigate the risks of landslides, mudflows and floods, all these can reduce availability downstream fresh water.

Medicinal Resources- variety of plants and animals of the ecosytem are used in developing popular and traditional medicines and developing pharmaceuticals. A variety of aquatic plants and animals like sea horse, sea cucumber, star fish are used in traditional medicine. Algae are a rich source of beta carotene and other carotenoids used widely in pharmaceuticals and can be harvested from the wild or from aquaculture ponds.

2. Regulating Service- includes those benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes such as climate regulation, natural hazard regulation, water purification and waste management, pollination or pest control.

Regulating services provided by the ecosystem are maintaining the quality of air and soil, providing flood and disease control, or pollinating crops. these services are usualy invisible to coomon man and taken for granted but if damaged, the resulting  losses can be substantial and difficult to restore.

Local climate and air control- trees provide shade, forest influence rainfall and water availability. Plants absorb carbondioxide from the atmospere there by prevent global warming.

Waste water treatment- Fish, molluscs and other aquatic animals as well as fish habitats are vital parts of ecosystem functioning and processes that are essential for water quality. Trees contribute heavily to waste-water treatment through their root system and their role in nutrient cycling.

Erosion preventing and soil fertility-Animal excreta can be an important source of nutrient and maintain soil fertility in grazed grasslands and croplands.Fish are important for the maintenance of sediment processes and can work to minimize soil erosion along rivers, lakes and coastal areas.

Pollination- Food security, food diversity, human nutrition and food prices all rely strongly on animal pollinators, but thse pollinators are under risk factors including habitat destruction and unsustainable agricultural practices such as misusing pesticide. Natural forests are important habitat for pollinators, providing refuge and food.

Biological Control- predators and parasites in the ecosystem control population especialy of the potential pest and disease vector. Agricultural production relies on crops as well as associated biodiversity in agro-ecosystems. Pests, diseases and weeds limit crop production, and are themselves limited by the action of their natural enemies, mostly arthropods and micro-organisms. Biological control, through an ecosystem approach, is a way to reduce pesticide use and enhance biodiversity which will intensify the production.

3. Habitat services/ Supporting Services- these services provide  living spaces for plants or animals and maintaining a diversity of plants and animals

Habitat for species- Well managed and diversified agro-ecosystems creats great species habitat. This kind of systems can give high yields while ensuring long term production. Tropical, temperate and boreal forests offer very diverse habitats for plants, animals and micro-organisms. Marine and freshwater ecosystems are key habitats for millions of aquatic species.

Maintenance of gentic diversity- Natural ecosystems hold important genetic resources which are of major significance through their potential to contribute beneficial traits to production systems, such as pest or disease resistance, yield improvement or stability. Thus, genetic diversity is so important that it provides society with a greater range of options to meet future challenges.

4. Cultural Services- non material benefits people obtain from ecosystems are called cultural services.

Recreation and mental and physical health- agricultural land can be place of  numerous recreational oppurtunities that have mental health benefits. Grass lands are great outdoor playing grounds. Forest can host a wide rang of sportive activites.

Tourism- enjoyement of nature attracts millions of travellers worldwide. This cultural ecosystem service includes both benfits to visitors and income oppurtunities for nature tourism service providers.

Aesthetic appreciation and inspiration for culture, art and design- animals plant and ecosytem have been source of inspiration for arts, culture and they inspire science as well.

Spiritual experience and sense of place.- nature is common part  in all relegions. Natural heritage, spiritual sense of belonging, traditional knowledge and assosciated customs are important for creating a sense of belonging.