2.2 Ecosystem Services

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. Provisioningā€”goods that humans use directly
      ā†’ lumber, food crops, rubber, fur, medicinal plants (Taxol)

    2. Regulating services

      ā†’ 4 gigatons of carbon removed by phytoplankton and plants
      ā†’ nutrient and water cycles

    3. Support systems
      ā†’ pollination, water filtration, natural pest control

    4. Cultural services/Aesthetic value (beauty)
      ā†’ Tourism, real estate, recreation

A healthy ecosystem hasā€¦

^^Resilience^^ā€”need to maintain genetic diversity so can have varieties to address needs of the future