What are ecosystem services?

Ecosystem services refer to the various benefits that ecosystems provide to humans, which are essential for our survival and well-being. This includes critical services such as the provision of clean water, pollination of crops, regulation of the climate, and maintenance of biodiversity. These services are fundamentally linked to the functioning of natural systems and their ability to support life.

For instance, clean water is facilitated by healthy watersheds and aquatic ecosystems that filter pollutants. Pollination is primarily performed by various species of insects and birds, which are vital for the reproduction of many plants, including crops that humans rely on for food. Climate regulation involves natural processes that help maintain atmospheric balance, such as carbon sequestration, which mitigates climate change effects. Collectively, these ecosystem services sustain our livelihoods and improve our quality of life.

While aesthetic value and materials harvested from the forest are relevant in certain contexts, they do not encompass the full scope of ecosystem services. Man-made structures may complement or enhance some aspects of natural habitats, but they do not replace the fundamental benefits that arise from healthy and functioning ecosystems. This distinction clarifies why identifying ecosystem services revolves primarily around the direct advantages supplied by ecosystems to human society.