Ecosystem Values

1. Intrinsic Value: ecosystems have their own value independent from the needs and desires of humans

   1. Moral obligation to protect

   2. Often related to religion and/or philosophy

2. Instrumental Value: has worth in terms of goods and services

   1. Provisioning—goods that humans use directly → lumber, food crops, rubber, fur, medicinal plants (Taxol)

   2. Regulating services

      → 4 gigatons of carbon removed by phytoplankton and plants → nutrient and water cycles

   3. Support systems → pollination, water filtration, natural pest control

   4. Cultural services/Aesthetic value (beauty) → Tourism, real estate, recreation

A healthy ecosystem has…

Resilience—need to maintain genetic diversity so can have varieties to address needs of the future