Ecosystem Services Flashcards
1
Q
How do u know if an ecosystem is healthy ?
A
Biodiversity, stock of plants etc, relative abundance, availability of water + nutrients, feral + exotic species
2
Q
What are the 4 ecosystem services ?
A
- Supporting
- Provisioning
- Regulating
- Cultural
3
Q
What are provisioning services ?
A
Products OBTAINED from ecosystems:
- food
- water
- energy
- raw materials
- medicinal stuff
4
Q
What are regulating services ?
A
Benefits obtains from the REGULATION OF ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES
- carbon sequestration
- waste decomposition by bacteria
- purification of water + air by plants
- pollination by bees
- tree roots preventing erosion
5
Q
Supporting services ?
A
Services that are necessary to PRODUCE all other ecosystem services
- nutrient cycling
- primary production
- soil formation
6
Q
Cultural services ?
A
Non material benefits people obtain from ecosystems
- recreation
- aesthetic value
7
Q
Why is biodiversity good ?
A
- increases ecosystem productivity
- nutrient use and retention
- ecosystem stability
- invasion resistance
- OVERALL SUSTAINABILITY N GROWTH
