#33 marine ecosystem services Flashcards
what is an ecosystem service
are the benefits humans obtain from ecosystems
what are some ecosystem services?
photosynthesis - phytoplankton photosynthesise and mke the basis of marine food webs
food - we can eat sea food
nutrient recycling - occurs in seagrass beds beneath sediment. cycling of nitrogen and carbon
seagrass beds - support commercial fisheries, fish can live in them, can make materials from seagrasses such as fibre
fuel - can make biodiesel from macroalgae
biochemicals, natural medicines
what are some regulating ecosystem services
atmospheric regulation - phytoplankton provide half the O2 in the atmosphere, they draw in carbon and respire CO2. when they die they will be eaten by bacteria and stored in the sediments
regulating waste - i.e. in port phillip bay the nitrogen waste put into the bay is processed by the bacteria in the sediment hence we dont get algal blooms
natural hazards - mangroves can protect from tsunamis etc.
tourism - charismatic animals can attact tourists - lots of money
recreation - lots of money, people also work in these areas
are sea urchins a pest?
yes they are. they affect nutrient recycling in the environment
