Ecosystem services

what are life supporting ecosystem services

ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining environmental stability by providing essential services that’s sustain life

how do eco systems help regulate and maintain water supplies (water replenishment)

• forest watersheds; trees absorb and store rainwater, releasing it gradually to prevent floods and ensure stead river flow.

• wetlands and aquifers; wetlands act as natural filters, replenishing groundwater and improving water quality

fr example the amazon rainforest generates rainfall for south america by transpiring large amounts of water into the atmosphere

how do natural ecosystems serve as a barrier against natural disasters (flood and erosion protection)

• mangroves and coastal wetlands reduce the impact of storm surges and tsunamis by absorbing wave energy

• forests and grasslands prevent soil erosion by stabilising the land with roots, reducing landslides and desertification

example in bangladesh, mangroves help protect coastal communities from cyclones and sea level rise

how do ecosystems act as natural filters removing pollutants from water, air and soil

• reed beds and wetlands; remove excess nutrients (eg nitrogen, phosphorus) from agricultural run off, preventing water pollution

• forests; absorb air pollutants (sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) improving air quality

for example the kissimmee river restoration project in florida restored wetlands to filter pollutants and improve water quality in the everglades

ho do ecosystems help store carbon, reducing atmospheric CO2 and mitigating climate change (carbon sequestration)

• forest and peatlands absorb co2 through photosynthesis acting like carbon sinks

• Soil and oceanic algae store carbon in organic matter and sediments

for example the boreal forest (largest land based carbon sink) stores more CO2 than all tropical rainforests combined)

why are ecosystem services important

without these services we would face; \

• more frequent and intense natura disasters (floods, droughts, landslides)

• higher pollution levels affecting human health

• accelerated climate change due to excess co2

• declining biodiversity impacting food chains and ecosystem stability