Ecosystem Services, Footprints, and Experimental Design Concepts

Provisioning Services

Ecosystem products humans use directly (ex: food, water).

Regulating Services

Benefits from regulating natural processes (ex: climate regulation, water purification).

Cultural Services

Nonmaterial benefits from ecosystems (ex: recreation, religion).

Supporting Services

Services that maintain ecosystems and make all other services possible (ex: soil formation, nutrient cycling).

Disruptions

Overfishing, urbanization, pollution, deforestation, habitat destruction, wetland drainage, soil degradation.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of how much land and resources are needed to support the lifestyle of an individual or population.

Ecological Footprint Includes

Food consumption, housing, transport, goods, services.

Reduce Ecological Footprint

Plant-based meals, efficient appliances, public transport, reusing items, vacation locally.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly by a person or group.

Increase Carbon Footprint

Coal electricity, gas cars, agriculture, overconsumption, deforestation.

Reduce Carbon Footprint

Wind/solar power, biking/walking, efficient appliances, reforestation.

Population Stabilization

Reduces demand for food, water, and energy → fewer impacts and lower emissions.

Tragedy of the Commons

When a common/shared limited resource is overused because individuals act in self-interest, depleting it for everyone.

Tragedy of the Commons Examples

Forest → clear-cutting, Mining → land destruction, Aquifers → over-pumping groundwater, Urbanization → overuse of land + pollution.

Ecological Impacts

Loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, climate change.

Economic Impacts

Short-term profits but long-term losses.

Percent Change Formula

Percent Change = (New - Old ÷ Old) × 100

Percent Total Formula

Percent Total = (Part ÷ Whole) × 100

Area Rectangle Formula

Area Rectangle = Length × Width

Area Triangle Formula

Area Triangle = ½ × Base × Height

Independent Variable

Factor that is changed or manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

Factor that is measured; responds to the independent variable.

Constants (Controlled Variables)

Factors kept the same to ensure a fair test.

Control Group

Group that does not receive the independent variable; used for comparison.

Experimental Group

Group that receives the independent variable to test its effect.

Why only one independent variable?

Ensures results are valid by showing that only one factor causes the effect on the dependent variable.