Ecosystem services & how they can save our planet

Provisioning ecosystem services are essentially goods that can be harvested, such as food, fibre, fuel, wood, and water, which we make use of every day. Examples include: 

• Water – freshwater ecosystems, forests, and plants “provide” and help regulate, filter, and purify the water we drink and bathe in. 

• Food – if our environment is healthy and conditions are right, we are able to grow fruit, vegetables, rice, wheat, pulses, and more. We can also hunt, fish, and harvest from a variety of habitats including our marine and freshwater resources. 

• Raw materials – our homes, furniture, tools, and more all require raw materials from nature like timber from forests and fuels from plants. 

• Medicinal materials – various plants and animals have historically been used by humans as medicines. Take ginger, for example – the remedy for an upset stomach. Even Aspirin (used for aches and pains) is derived from salicylic acid which originates from willow tree bark! 

Benefits that fall under the provisioning category are arguably the most tangible of the ecosystem services. 

Regulating 

Regulating ecosystem services are processes in an ecosystem that offer benefits like food management, climate regulation, and the filtration of water. Examples include:   

• Water purification: Natural systems, like wetlands, filter water by trapping sediments and breaking down harmful substances. This helps not only improve water quality for human consumption but also helps deal with wastewater and runoff. 

• Air quality: Plants, trees, and forests play a crucial role in our survival, providing shade, promoting rainfall, and helping regulate air pollution. 

• Carbon sequestration: Similarly, trees, seaweed, and other plants store carbon and other greenhouse gases, making our air cleaner still and regulating climate. The older the tree, the more carbon it removes from our atmosphere – vital for keeping our planet cool. 

• Flood control: Healthy ecosystems can help manage flooding and natural disasters. Mangrove ecosystems, for example, can reduce the impact of tsunamis, while wetlands and floodplains store water during heavy rains to stop it flowing rapidly downstream. 

• Pollination: Over 75% of global food crops rely on pollinators (like bees and butterflies). Without pollination, growing food would be nigh-on impossible. 

Without regulating ecosystem services, water and air would be impure, we could expect more extreme weather events affecting our communities, and food shortages would be the norm. 

Cultural 

Cultural ecosystem services describe how the natural world benefits people’s health and wellbeing in non-material ways – educationally, recreationally, and spiritually. Examples include:   

• Recreation & community: Natural spaces offer the opportunity to partake in hobbies like birdwatching, forest bathing, and shared community events. They also provide the space for physical exercise like hiking and running – promoting our physical and mental wellbeing. 

• Aesthetics: Half of humanity’s art and poetry wouldn’t exist without the inspiration of the great outdoors and its wonders! Lakes, forests, mountains, and other scenic landscapes and habitats give so much to our cultural expression. 

• Spirituality & heritage: Many cultures value natural sites as sacred – be it spiritually or through shared heritage. Such sites often play a part in rituals, ceremonies, and traditions, reinforcing cultural identity. 

• Educational: The natural environment serves as an outdoor classroom for us all, offering hands-on learning experiences for schools and communities. Where better to learn about biodiversity and environmental stewardship? 

The cultural ecosystem services we rely on are so often overlooked but make up a huge part of our lives. 

Supporting 

The importance of ecosystem services 

It’s pretty clear that we rely on ecosystem services to survive – but more than that, to thrive. We all benefit from said services, whether we recognise them in our day-to-day lives or not; from brushing our teeth with clean water and eating a healthy breakfast to walking in the park and swimming in the sea. 

The loss of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems threatens our culture, our daily lives, our economy, and so much more.  

Threats to ecosystem services 

Deforestation, land use change, habitat fragmentation, climate change, pollution, and ozone depletion all threaten and reduce the functioning of the ecosystem services that keep us alive. Once instigated, it’s a cycle that can perpetuate itself – but the process can be stopped in its tracks. 

It stands to reason that investing in nature and the solutions it provides to us will help improve the efficiency and impact of ecosystem services and ensure that they serve future generations. 

In short, investing in nature ensures our livelihood as a species.