genomes to ecosystems lecture 2- goods and services Flashcards
what is an ecosystem?
the biological community that occurs in some locale + the physical, climatological and chemical conditions that make up its non living/ abiotic environment + their interactions
what are abiotic compounds?
the physical environment such as
-sunlight
-temperature
-precipitation
-substrate type
-chemistry
-soil or water
what are biotic compounds?
the community such as
-primary producers
-herbivores
-carnivores
-omnivores
what is ecosystem functions
Ecosystem functions are the primary ecosystem processes of capturing, storing and transferring energy, carbon dioxide, nutrients and water
what are ecosystem processes?
Energy transfer
Nutrient cycling
Water cycling
CO2 cycling
Nutrient uptake/release
Decomposition
Water uptake/evapotranspiration
Photosynthesis
Herbivory
Pollination
Predation/paracitism/pathogen attack
what is ecosystem functioning?
Ecosystem functioning refers to the capacity of ecosystems to carry out the primary ecosystem processes of capturing, storing and transferring energy, CO2, nutrients and water
what is energy transfer?
energy is passed on through the digestion of other organisms but through each digestion heat is lost due to heat, undigested materials and waste
what is ecosystem goods and services?
The Earth’s ecosystems provide humanity with a wide range of
benefits known as ‘ecosystem goods and services’.
In the past, societies often failed to take account of the importance of ecosystems. They were frequently regarded as public property… and were consequently undervalued.
what is the millennium ecosystem assessment?
In 2000, the United Nations launched a global Millennium Ecosystem Assessment initiative (MA)
2/3 of Earth’s ecosystem services are in decline or threatened
what is supporting services?
processes that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services, nutrient dispersal and cycling, seed dispersal and primary production
what are regulating services?
benefits obtained from ecosystem processes that help regulate natural phenomena
what are provisioning services or goods?
they are obtained from ecosystems
what do these depend on?
the beneficiaries themselves as
natural resources/ ecosystems. goods and services –> beneficiaries- people, farmers, government etc –> environmental, natural resource management –> natural capital so ecosystem structures and processes
what are cultural services?
nonmaterial benefits from people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development,t reflection, recreation and aesthetic experiences
what are examples of goods?
Food, crops, wild foods, spices
Water
Minerals (including diatomite)
Energy (hydropower, biomass fuels)
Raw materials
Genetic resources
Medicinal resources
Ornamental resources
