6: ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Top 10 Environmental Issues around the
globe:
1. Population
2. Climate Change
3. Loss of Biodiversity
4. The Phosphorus and Nitrogen Cycles
5. Water
6. Ocean Acidification
7. Pollution
8. Ozone Layer Depletion
9. Over Fishing
10. Deforestation
In the Philippines
1. Pollution
2. Global warming due to emission of
greenhouse gases
3. Overpopulation
4. Natural resources depletion
5. Waste disposal
ENVIRONMENT - refers to everything that
surrounds a living organism, which includes
physical factors (air, water, soil) and biological
factor (living organisms, flora and fauna).
ECOSYSTEM - a community of organisms
interacting each other and with abiotic or
non-living components of the environment.
ENERGY - exchanged and cycling of
important nutrients is facilitated.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES - refer to the
direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems
to human survival and quality of life.
Support services
include the cycling of vital nutrients
such as nitrogen and phosphorus (minerals
that are essentially for survival and can only be
derived in their usable forms. )
It also include the decomposition of
organic matter, cycling of water, and
production of primary materials.
Provisioning services
Provide the basic needs for survival
(air, water, shelter, food, and energy)
It includes the photosynthesis in
plants, the water cycle, the food web, and the
presence of different natural ecosystems such
as forests, rivers, and seas, provide these
basic necessities.
Regulating services
Benefits obtain by regulating the climate,
hazards, and diseases through process
such as carbon sequestration (removal of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and
storage in plants)
Cultural services
Include nonmaterial benefits such
as spiritual enrichment, cultural
heritage, recreation, tourism, and
aesthetic experience that nature
provides for human.
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
Land use changes
Involve the conversion of natural
ecosystem to urban, industrial, or agricultural
areas.
Example: Mangrove areas are
reclaimed, leveled, and or converted into
urban areas. Mangrove are more efficient in
sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and
also serve as protective barrier against storm
surges and tsunamis.
Introduction of invasive species
Pose a threat to ecosystem which
may drive native species resulting into
endangerment or extinction.
Resource exploitation
Burning of fossil fuel to generate electricity
increases the amount of carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
and is attributed to global warming.
Extensive and poorly managed agricultural
activities employed to provide food affect soil
quality and create dead zones in bodies of
water due to eutrophication caused by
discharge nitrogen and phosphorus from
fertilizers.
Pollution
Why raise awareness about environmental
issues?
Earth is our Common Home
Fosters a sense of connection to the
natural world
Promotes sustainable development
Encourages conservation of
irreplaceable natural resources and vulnerable
plant and animal species
Helps people understand the
consequences of h