Ecosystem Services - Benefits To Humans

Each ecosystem provides unique services to the environments in their area. Without a properly functioning ecosystem, some environmental processes necessary for the continuation of plant and animal life in each ecosystem would be impossible. Without the services that an ecosystem provides, it would be nearly impossible for a life cycle to function. If ecosystems are so necessary, then what are some ecosystem services that ecosystems provide? These services are what the ecosystem does in order to give humans resources, such as clean water and air, habits for fish, and other such services. An ecosystem can aide in the process for moderation of weather, pollinate vegetation and crops, fertilize soil, protect coasts from erosion, help stabilize climates, detoxify waste, move nutrients, scatter seeds from one place to another, and many more. As you can see, these services that each ecosystem provides for the world are vital to the survival of plants and animals everywhere, and consequently, humans as well.

What causes an ecosystem to break down? If ecosystems, such as ocean ecosystems, marine ecosystems, or a desert ecosystem are disrupted, then life would change drastically for the humans and animals in the world. Humans contribute a lot to the destruction of such ecosystems around the world. Urban sprawl is one of the main contributors, because buildings stamp out the natural growth of plants and insects. Some other main contributors are: over harvesting of sea life in freshwater ecosystems and ocean ecosystems, deforestation, pesticide and toxic chemical wastelands, introducing non-native species into an area, and pollution. These factors seriously damage the proper order of an ecosystem. Some people might not think that it is worth it to try and save the different ecosystems. However, it really is very important. Most drugs that are in use today have a plant base, and so if ecosystems are not kept alive, then these drugs would not longer be available for use. Also, a great portion of pollination is done through the use of bees and other such insects. Destroying ecosystem services that support such insects would destroy almost all the plant population as well, because the plants would not be pollinated. This is why it is so important to restore and protect our ecosystems.

So that is why ecosystem services are so important. If all the ecosystems died, the world would be a nasty place, and mankind would not survive for long. This is a very important factor to remember when we are talking about ecosystem management, as it is important not only for the ecosystem itself, but for the world. This is why it is so important to keep these natural ecosystem environments places going strong.