GEOG 2.2 : ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD

Explain ecosystem as a content concept.

A dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and the non-living environment interacting as a functional unit.

Explain living communities as a concept.

Communities of living ( biotic ) things, including living organisms like humans, animals, plants, insects and bacteria.

Explain non-living environment as a concept.

The environment which consists of non-living ( abiotic ) components like rocks, soil, water, sunlight and the built environment.

Explain aquatic as a concept.

Related to water bodies such as rivers and lakes.

Explain ecosystem services as a concept.

The benefits people obtain from ecosystems to make human life possible. It is categorised into provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services.

Explain provisioning services as a concept.

Tangible ( physical material ) resouces that people can get from ecosystems such as food, water and wood.

Explain regulating services as a concept.

Benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes including microclimate regulation, flood mitigation, and air and water quality control.

Explain cultural services as a concept.

Non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems and include aesthetic experiences, education and recreation.

Explain supporting services as a concept.

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

What is an ecosystem ?

A geographic area where living communities and non-living environments interact with each other to form a bubble of life. They vary in size and every aspect in ecosystems depends on one another, directly or indirectly.

Why are urban neighbourhoods regarded as ecosystems ?

As people are intergral parts of ecosystems and dynamic interactions exist between people and other parts of the ecosystem. Activities carried out by people may directly and / or indirectly change the ecosystems in both positive and negative ways.

Give an example that shows why urban neighbourhoods are regarded as ecosystems.

A man-made concrete canal in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park was transformed into a naturalised river allowing more organisms to thrive into this aquatic ecosystem. This brought wildlife back into the park, enhancing the neighbourhood’s biodiversity.

What are ecosystem services ?

Ecosystem services refer to the benefits brought about by nature to people. These services are produced by the living communities and non-living environment of ecosystems. These services are critical to our survival and their benefits are optimised when we have a healthy and thriving natural environment. These ecosystem services consist of : provisioning services, regulating services, cultural services, supporting services.

What are provisioning ecosystem services ?

Provisioning ecosystem services refer to the tangible resources that people can get from ecosystems ( nature ) such as food,water and wood. Food is one of the most important provisioning services provided by nature to people and it can be obtained through means such as agricultural activities and fisheries. They can also be found in an urban neighbourhood ecosystem.

Give an example where provisioning ecosystem services can be found in an urban neighbourhood.

Food is grown in urban community gardens focused on planting edibles on rooftops at Tampines’ HDB blocks.

What are regulating ecosystem services ? Where can they be found in urban neighbourhoods ?

Regulating ecosystem services ( control of maintain a condition ) refer to the benefits obtained from the regulation of various ecosystem processes. This includes services such as climate regulation, disease outbreak regulation and flood regulation. These ecosystem processes work together to ensure that the ecosystems are functional, clean, sustainable, and resilient to changes. In an urban neighbourhood, these include microclimate regulation, flood mitigation as well as air and water quality control.

Give an example of regulating ecosystem services in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park.

Regulating the local climate : Trees in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park can lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade to residents. On a larger scale, forests can help to cool areas by generating rainfall. Regulating water flows : The vegetation cover in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park can reduce surface runoff by retaining water in the soil. This also known as water flow regulation. It is a key service provided by natural land cover. Regulating local air quality : The trees or other plants in the park play an important role in regulating air quality by removing pollutants from the atmosphere.

What are cultural ecosystem services ? Where can they be found in urban neighbourhoods ?

Cultural ecosystem services refer to the intangible benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including aesthetic experiences, educational opportunities and recreational activities. In an urban neighbourhood, the presence of green spaces can provide many cultural ecosystem services such as aesthetic appreciation and opportunities for stress-reliving activites. These activities may improve people’s physical and mental health and foster social belonging and group identity, thus strengthening their sense of place.

Give an example of cultural ecosystem service in Singapore.

The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a site for residents to engage in recreational activities such as hiking, as well as a space which provides educational opportunities, such as when geography students engage in fieldwork. Residents may also gain aesthetic experiences from natural objects in urban neighbourhoods such as heritage trees, skyrise greenery and community gardens.

What are supporting ecosystem services ?

Supporting ecosystem services ( fundamental processes that affect the functioning of all other ecosystem services ) refer to services that are necessary for the functioning of all other ecosystem services, including soil formation, pollinaton and photosynthesis.

How is soil formed ?

For instance, soil is formed when micro-organisms and physical processes decompose organic matter and break them down into smaller particles.

Why is soil a supporting ecosystem service ?

Soil is essential for the health of all terrestial ( living or growing on land ) ecosystems as it provides a habitat for billions of organisms, contributes to biodiversity, and acts as a water filter. Soil formation, as a supporting ecosystem service, ( which takes millions of years to form naturally ) , ensures that human activities such as agriculture can take place. no soil —> no plants —> no herbivores —> no omnivores.

How does bees help as a supporting ecosystem service ?

In urban neighbourhoods, bees play a significant role in crop pollination which is vital as it ensures that crops are able to reproduce to provide food for animals and humans.

How do plants help as a supporting ecosystem service ?

During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and this maintains the oxygen content of the Earth’s atmosphere. This ensures that all other ecosystem services can function.