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Why Are Ecosystem Services Essential for Human Well-being?

September 3, 2024

Author: Trésor Daniel MEFIRE

Country: Cameroon

 

Photo credit: European Environment Agency Website 

 

SUMMARY

Ecosystems, complex networks of life, provide a wealth of services essential for human well-being. These range from food production and clean air to water purification and flood control. The economic value of these services is staggering – estimated at over $125 trillion annually, exceeding global GDP.

However, human activities threaten these vital systems. Biodiversity loss, land degradation, pollution, and climate change are all taking a toll. To ensure a sustainable future, we must act now.

Conservation efforts like expanding protected areas and promoting community involvement are crucial. Additionally, restoring degraded ecosystems through initiatives like Africa's Great Green Wall can revitalize essential services. Shifting towards sustainable practices in agriculture and fostering environmental awareness are also key steps. By valuing and protecting these natural services, we can safeguard the well-being of present and future generations.


BACKGROUND

Why Are Ecosystem Services Essential for Human Well-being?

 

Introduction 

Ecosystems, intricate networks of living organisms and their environment, provide us with a multitude of services essential to our survival and well-being. From food production to climate regulation, these ecosystem services are of paramount importance. Yet, they are currently threatened by human activities. This article aims to quantify their value, analyze the threats they face, and propose solutions to preserve them.


1. Ecosystem Services: Inestimable Value 

Ecosystems, the intricate networks of living organisms and their environment, are often overlooked but play a vital role in sustaining human life and well-being. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, ecosystems provide countless services that we often take for granted. Nearly 75% of the world's population directly depends on ecosystems for their livelihoods (MEA, 2005). The annual economic value of these services is estimated at 125 trillion US dollars (TEEB for Business, 2010), more than the global GDP. Ecosystems deliver a wide range of benefits that support our livelihoods and quality of life. These services can be categorized into four broad types:

  • Provisioning services: Besides medicines, forests also provide timber, firewood, and non-timber products (fruits, resins, etc.). Oceans offer us a significant source of animal protein.

  • Regulating services: Mangroves, for instance, protect coastlines from erosion and storms, while playing a crucial role in carbon storage.

  • Supporting services: Pollination, largely provided by insects, is essential for the reproduction of many cultivated plants. Fertile soils, the result of complex ecological processes, are crucial for food production.

  • Cultural services: Natural spaces offer opportunities for recreation, tourism, and well-being. For example, ecotourism is a significant source of income for many countries.


2. Threats to Ecosystem Services

Human activities are putting unprecedented pressure on ecosystems:

  • Loss of biodiversity: The rate of species extinction has accelerated dramatically, with an estimated 1 million species disappearing out of the 8 million on the planet (IPBES, 2019).

  • Land degradation: One-third of the world's agricultural land is moderately to severely degraded (FAO, 2015), reducing its long-term productivity.

  • Pollution: Air, water, and soil pollution contaminate ecosystems and endanger human health. More than 80% of the world's wastewater is discharged without treatment (UN-Water, 2020).

  • Climate change: Global warming is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events (droughts, floods, etc.), directly affecting ecosystems and the services they provide.


3. Solutions to Preserve Ecosystem Services 

To preserve ecosystem services, urgent action is needed at various levels:

  • Conservation of Protected Areas: Expanding and improving the management of protected areas is vital. Engaging local communities in conservation efforts ensures sustainable practices and enhances biodiversity. Currently, only about 15% of terrestrial and 7% of marine areas are protected globally (UNEP-WCMC, 2020).

  • Promoting Education and Awareness: Shifting public perceptions and fostering environmental responsibility is essential for long-term ecosystem preservation. Educational programs can raise awareness about the importance of ecosystem services and empower individuals to make informed choices. Additionally, fostering a connection with nature through outdoor experiences can cultivate a sense of stewardship for the natural world.

  • Ecosystem Restoration: Initiatives aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, such as reforestation and wetland rehabilitation, can revitalize essential services. The Great Green Wall Initiative (UNCCD, 2022) This large-scale project that stretches across the width of Africa. aims to restore millions of hectares of degraded land, tackle desertification, create green jobs, and boost biodiversity by planting trees and promoting vegetation restoration.

  • Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture: Implementing sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroecology and crop rotation, can enhance food security while minimizing environmental impact. Studies show that agroecological practices can increase yields by 20-50% while reducing reliance on chemical inputs (FAO, 2018).


Conclusion 

Ecosystem services are a natural capital essential to our well-being and survival. The degradation of these services has significant economic, social, and environmental consequences. Urgent action is needed to reverse this trend and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. By adopting more sustainable practices and investing in nature conservation, we can preserve these vital services for future generations. 

 

 REFERENCES

  1. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2005). Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Synthesis. Island Press.

  2. TEEB for Business. (2010). The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Business.

  3. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). (2019). The Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

  4. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2015). The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture.

  5. FAO (2018). The 10 Elements of Agroecology: Guiding the Transition to Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems. Rome. 15 pp. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.https://www.fao.org/3/i9037en/i9037en.pdf

  6. United Nations Water. (2020). World Water Development Report 2020: The Sustainable Development Goals and Water: A Review of Progress and Challenges.

  7. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2014). Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.

  8. UNEP-WCMC and IUCN (2020). Protected Planet Report 2020. UNEP-WCMC and IUCN: Cambridge UK; Gland, Switzerland. .https://livereport.protectedplanet.net/.

  9. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). (2022, September 5). The Great Green Wall Initiative. https://www.unccd.int/our-work/ggwi/impact. 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

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