3.2.1 The value and distribution of ecosystems

• Who developed the concept of ecosystem services?

  Castanza et al.
• What do ecosystem services describe?

  Processes by which the environment produces resources
• What year was the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment called for?

  2000
• What was the purpose of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment?

  To assess the state of the global environment
• How many experts were involved in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment?

  More than 1,360
• How are ecosystem services classified?

  Supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural
• What are provisioning services?

  Direct products of ecosystems like food
• What are regulating services?

  Benefits from natural regulation like CO2 control
• What are cultural services?

  Non-material benefits from natural systems
• What are supporting services?

  Services like soil formation and nutrient cycling
• Why are ecosystems important for medicines?

  Tropical rainforests source many natural medicines
• What percentage of natural medicines come from tropical rainforests?

  10 to 19%
• What is quinine used for?

  To treat malaria
• What is diosgenin used for?

  Birth control pill production
• What foods originated in rainforests?

  Pineapples, bananas, cocoa, and avocados
• How many edible plants are estimated to exist in nature?

  75,000
• What is the significance of seed banks?

  To store seeds for future plant growth
• Where is the seed bank located that stores seeds from around one million plants?

  Svalbard Island, Norway
• How do forests help protect against soil erosion?

  Roots bind soil and intercept precipitation
• What do coral reefs provide protection against?

  Natural hazards by reducing wave energy
• What percentage of wave energy do reef crests dissipate?

  86%
• How many people benefit from risk reduction provided by reefs?

  Over 100 million
• What are the impacts of forest clearance on natural disasters?

  Increased floods and landslides occur
• What are the categories of ecosystem services?

  • Provisioning services: direct products like food
  • Regulating services: natural regulation benefits
  • Cultural services: non-material benefits like aesthetics
  • Supporting services: soil formation and nutrient cycling
• Why is genetic diversity important from natural ecosystems?

  • Fortifies against disease and pests
  • Helps adapt to climate change
  • Maintains food security and biodiversity
• What are the benefits of forests and vegetation?

  • Protect against soil erosion
  • Increase soil and groundwater storage
  • Mitigate natural hazards like floods
• What role do coral reefs play in hazard mitigation?

  • Reduce wave energy by an average of 97%
  • Provide protection for coastal communities
  • Help in adaptation to climate change