1dbiol - pp12 (benefits of natural ecosystems) · l benefits of natural ecosystems (p.~) activity:...

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SNC1DBIOLOGY

SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS

L Benefits of Natural Ecosystems

(P.~)

Activity: Benefits of Natural Ecosystems

ISSUE

Recreational activities and an opportunity to appreciate the beauty ofnature are just two of the benefits that ecosystems provide to us.Ecosystems offer a wide variety of benefits to humans and for thebiosphere in general.

August 7, 2014 1DBIOL - Benefits of Natural Ecosystems 1

Activity: Benefits of Natural Ecosystems

INSTRUCTIONS

A. While reading/listening to the following presentation, complete a chartsimilar to the one below listing the benefits of the following aspects ofour natural ecosystems. You should try to have three examples foreach.


Benefit Examples

cultural

products

environmental

economic

other

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Benefits of Natural Ecosystems

Natural ecosystems provide humanswith many services. For example,ecosystems:

• supply food, fuel, natural resources,and water

• cycle nutrients and decomposewastes

• regulate climate

• the animals they contain helppollinate crops and disperse seeds

• provide humans with cultural andrecreational opportunities.


Product Benefits

Ecosystems also provide more than just natural beauty and a place torelax. Each day we use products from ecosystems that help to make ourlives easier. Plants provide us with wood, rubber, fabrics, dyes, food, andmedicines. Animals provide us with leathers, oils, bones, and beeswax.Some people hunt animals and collect plants for personal/commercial use.


Environmental Benefits

Ecosystems also provide several environmental benefits including:


• producing oxygen – microscopicorganisms in the ocean (i.e.phytoplankton or algae) produceabout 50% of the oxygen in theatmosphere

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• moderating climates – plants inmany different ecosystems, includingtropical rainforests, take in carbondioxide gas for photosynthesis(carbon dioxide helps trap thermalenergy that warms Earth’s surface sochanges in the amount of carbondioxide can influence climates onEarth)




• filtering pollutants – certain plantsand organisms can remove anddestroy some of the harmfulchemicals in the air, water, and soilwhich reduces the amount ofpollution in the environment


Natural ecosystems can also support industries as well as provide valuableproducts such as:


• Forestry: More than 65% ofOntario’s land surface is coveredwith forests. Ontario’s forestsprovide $18 billion worth ofproducts each year and employmore than 80 000 people. Another30 000 people in Ontario have jobsthat are related to forestecosystems, including fishing andtrapping, tourism, and parksmanagement.

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Natural ecosystems can also support industries as well as provide valuableproducts such as:


• Ecotourism: Ecotourism, which isa growing industry that relatestourism to the ecology of an area,also creates jobs. Hotels,restaurants, transportation services,arts organization, and companiesthat organize guided tours allprovide jobs in a local area.

Other Benefits

Ecosystems also help to protect usfrom physical threats, such aserosion and flooding. The roots ofplants, which are anchored in soil,help to reduce soil erosion by windand water. Ecosystems such aswetlands absorb surface water.Then they slowly release the waterboth underground and at thesurface, which prevents floodingafter a heavy rain.


Benefits of Natural Ecosystems


Benefit Examples

cultural

products

environmental

economic

other

C recreationC educationC spirituality

C lumberC foodC medicine

C climate moderationC water & air purificationC oxygen supply & nutrient cycling

C jobsC exportsC tourism products & services

C erosion reductionC flood preventionC balance of wildlife maintained

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Monetary Value of the Benefits

NOTE!

It is difficult to put a monetary value on the beauty of wildlife andwilderness experiences. However, it is possible to estimate the value ofmany of the ecological services provided by natural ecosystems. Globally,the value of natural terrestrial ecosystems ranges into the trillions of dollarsper year.


U Check Your Learning

1. Grass is useful. Describe the ecological services that grass performs ina hay field, on a golf course, or along the shoulder of a highway.

hay field – food

golf course – recreation

highway – erosion prevention



2. Provide reasons why a renewable resource is more valuable than anon-renewable resource.

a non-renewable resource is gone once it is used up whereas arenewable service can continue to provide for generations to come butit must be cared for and respected by humans to remain healthy andvaluable (i.e. sustainability)


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3. What are three ways that ecotourism can help an ecosystem.

• hotels, restaurants, transportation services, arts organizations, andcompanies that organize guided tours all provides jobs in a localarea

• goods such as boats, fishing equipment, specialized clothing, ... areneeded so people can enjoy the outdoors

• helps people learn about the ecosystem which will make them(hopefully) more aware of the ecosystem and how humans areimpacting it (i.e. education)


1dbiol - pp12 (benefits of natural ecosystems) · l benefits of natural ecosystems (p.~) activity:...

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