2.2: Ecosystem services

Ecosystem services

The processes by which life-supporting resources such as clean water, timber, fisheries, and agricultural crops are produced.

Provisioning

Goods that humans can use directly: food, clean water, raw materials (lumber, fiber, fur), oils, medicinal plants.

These are goods humans get straight from nature, including

Regulating services

Processes that moderate natural phenomena.

These help manage and stabilize natural conditions

Support systems

Underlying natural processes. 

These are the behind-the-scenes services that make all the others possible

Cultural services

Non-material benefits.

These are the emotional, spiritual, and recreational benefits nature gives us

Examples of Services

Intrinsic value

the inherent worth of a species, ecosystem, or organism based solely on its existence, regardless of its usefulness to humans.

• Ex. The inherent value of a California condor because it is a species OR The philosophical idea that a forest has value simply because it is a forest. 

Instrumental value

The value something holds because of its usefulness to humans, often in terms of resources, services, or benefits it provides.

• Ex. A tree has value for lumber or as a source of food.