Bio Final: BENEFITS OF ECOSYSTEMS OR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES Flashcards
ecosystem benefits/ecosystem services
linked to natural biodiversity of the planet
gas regulation
atmospheric chemical balance= CO2/O2 balance
climate regulation
global temperature and precipitation= greenhouse gas regulation (exchange of large amounts of energy with the atmosphere)
distribution regulation
maintain ecosystem integrity= storm protection, flood control, drought recovery and other habitat responses to environmental variability.
water regulation
regulation of hydrologic or water cycle
water supply
storage and retention of water=watersheds, reservoirs and aquifers
erosion control and sediment retention
soil retention within ecosystems= prevent loss due to runoff, wind or other removal processes; storage of silt in lakes and estuaries (wetlands)
soil formation
erosion and weathering of rock and accumulation of organic material= productive soils; food (fiber: materials for clothing and shelter)
nutrient cycling
storage, internal cycling and acquisition of nutrients= nitrogen fixation, carbon cycle
waste treatment
waste treatment, population control, detoxification (decomposition by bacteria, fungi)
pollination
plant reproduction= food
biological control
trophic-level population control=predation
habitat
spatial distribution of populations=space to live (regional, migratory, overwintering)
food production
a) agriculture: crops, fruits, nuts
b) meat: livestock, poultry
c) fisheries: fish, shellfish
raw materials
extractable material= resources (renewable/nonrenewable)= timber, minerals, energy (oil, natural gas, coal); wind, solar, hydro, geothermal
