2.2 final

What are ecosystem services?

The benefits people obtain from ecosystems to make human life possible.

What are the four categories of ecosystem services?

Provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

What do provisioning services provide?

Tangible resources such as food, water, and wood.

What are regulating services?

Benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, including climate regulation and flood mitigation.

What are cultural ecosystem services?

Intangible benefits such as aesthetic experiences, education, and recreation.

What do supporting services refer to?

Services necessary for the functioning of all other ecosystem services, including soil formation, pollination, and photosynthesis

Why are urban neighbourhoods considered ecosystems?

They are geographic areas where living communities and non-living environments interact.

What role do living communities play in ecosystems?

They include biotic elements like humans, animals, plants, insects, and bacteria.

What components make up the non-living environment in ecosystems?

Abiotic components like rocks, soil, water, sunlight, and the built environment.

How do provisioning services manifest in urban neighbourhoods?

Through community gardens and urban agriculture, providing food and resources.

What is an example of regulating services in urban areas?

Trees in parks regulating local climate and air quality.

What benefits do cultural ecosystem services provide?

They enhance physical and mental health, foster social belonging, and provide recreational opportunities.

How do supporting services like soil formation benefit ecosystems?

They provide habitats for organisms and support biodiversity.

What is the significance of pollination in urban ecosystems?

It ensures crops can reproduce, providing food for humans and animals.

What is an example of a cultural ecosystem service in an urban neighbourhood?

The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve providing recreational and educational opportunities.

How do urban ecosystems impact biodiversity?

Activities like creating naturalized parks can enhance local biodiversity.

What is the role of trees in regulating air quality?

They remove pollutants from the atmosphere, improving air quality.

What is microclimate regulation?

The ability of ecosystems to influence local climate conditions, such as temperature and humidity.

What is flood mitigation in the context of urban ecosystems?

The ability of ecosystems to reduce surface runoff and manage water flow.

How does photosynthesis contribute to ecosystem services?

It maintains oxygen levels in the atmosphere, essential for life.

What is an example of a tangible resource provided by provisioning services?

Food obtained from urban community gardens.

What is the importance of biodiversity in urban ecosystems?

It enhances ecosystem resilience and functionality.

How do human activities affect urban ecosystems?

They can change ecosystems positively or negatively through development and conservation efforts.

What is the relationship between ecosystem services and human survival?

Ecosystem services are critical for survival and are optimized in healthy environments.

What is an example of a supporting service in urban ecosystems?

Soil formation, which is essential for agriculture and habitat.

What benefits do green spaces provide in urban neighbourhoods?

They offer aesthetic appreciation, recreational activities, and opportunities for social interaction.