2.2 Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem Values

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

2. Moral obligation to protect

3. Often related to religion and/or philosophy

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

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

6. Regulating services

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

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

8. 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

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