lecture 9: ecosystem services Flashcards
Natural Resources
substances and energy
sources that sustain our lives, can be renewable or nonrenewable
Benefits of an ecosystem:
Timber, oil and mineral reserves, food source (agriculture, grazing), Water filtration, recreation, aesthetic beauty
Nutrient cycling, pollination
Neoclassical (traditional) view
limited connection with the
environment.
Conduct Cost-Benefit Analysis
If benefits exceed the costs, then action should be pursued
What are the external costs of a timber sale?
negative consequences that affects others in society (health impacts, aesthetic damage, habitat loss, financial loss)
Reduce External Costs
Implement more sustainable forest practices (e.g., smaller
patch cuts, selective timber harvesting), Maintains habitat for wildlife and future resources
Global warming has many impacts:
Sea Level Rise, Intense Hurricanes, Heat Waves, Severe droughts
Ecosystem Services
Natural processes that support and benefit humans (photosynthesis, recreation, etc.)
Provisioning services
Availability of fish, game, fruits,
medicines, lumber, fibers
Cultural services
Recreation such as ecotourism,
fishing, hiking, hunting, Aesthetic beauty, natural
landscapes have spiritual value
Regulating and Supporting Services
Regulate oxygen and carbon (photosynthesis), Regulate water supplies (precipitation and storage), Pollination, Nutrient cycling (nitrogen, carbon), Filter waste and toxic substances
How to assign a value for recreation and outdoor use?
Multiply by total number of visitors and distances traveled
Revenue ($$) generated by recreation activities
-> ski industry, equipment sales, hunting permits
Case Study: Costa Rica
Forest declined from 1940 –1987, Strategy to conserve and expand forests
four ecosystems services related to forest cover
(1) Provides clean water • Filter pollutants, reduce erosion (2) Biodiversity • Provides habitat for diverse species (3) Scenic Beauty • Ecotourism (4) Carbon cycle • Carbon Storage benefits, reduces global warming
