Ecosystem services: an economic value
Ecosystem services: an economic value
In the 21st century, the well -being of our environment has become one of the core issues. We appreciate the environment for various reasons, some value aesthetic beauty, others recognize the invaluable scientific value. However, it has become increasingly clear that natural ecosystems also offer economic value that is often overlooked. These economic advantages are referred to as ecosystem services.
What are ecosystem services?
Ecosystem services are the diverse advantages that humanity receives from the mere existence and continuation of natural ecosystems. They are important components of our social and economic well -being and influence our survival and our material prosperity. They include areas such as drinking water treatment, pollination of crops, climate regulation and recreational values.
Classification of ecosystem services
Ecosystem services are divided into four main categories:
- Promotion services that include the direct use of ecosystem resources, such as food or timber.
- regulatory services that include changes in the ecosystem that have a positive effect on human life, such as climate regulation or the influence on natural dangers.
- support services that promote basic ecosystem processes such as soil formation and nutrient cycles.
- Cultural achievements that do not include material advantages, such as aesthetic inspiration, relaxation and spiritual experience.
The economic value of ecosystem services
Quantifying the value of ecosystem services is a complex task. Many of these services are often considered "free of charge" because they are not traded in conventional markets. However, you have an absolute economic value that we have to begin to recognize and integrate if we really want to limit the harmful effects of our actions on the environment.
The ability of ecosystems to provide priceless services can be significantly impaired if they are overused or destroyed. Therefore, the quantification of your value can be an effective tool for maintaining and improved management of these resources.
Monetary evaluation of ecosystem services
One way to determine the economic value of ecosystem services is to appreciate your monetary reviews. This can be done using various methods, such as cost avoidance approaches, replacement cost methods, production functions and welfare economy approaches.
A famous example of this is the study by Robert Costanza et al. from 1997, in which they estimated the total value of the earth's ecosystem services provided by Earth at $ 33 trillion a year. This is more than twice the global gross national income at this time.
The benefits of considering ecosystem services in management
Consideration of ecosystem services in management decisions has a number of advantages. It helps us to recognize and evaluate the complete effects of our actions on the environment and the well -being of people. It also supports a better balance between the short -term consumption of resources and its long -term preservation for future generations.
application examples
There are many examples of the successful integration of the evaluation of ecosystem services into decision -making. A particularly clear case is the New York water supply.
Instead of output billions of dollars for the construction and operation of water filtration systems, the city of New York has instead invested in the protection and improvement of the water catchment areas in the Catskill and Delaware. In this way, they were able to use the ecosystem services provided by these natural areas in order to deliver fresh, clean water at significantly lower costs. A win-win situation for nature and people.
conclusions
It is clear that ecosystem services make up a significant part of our economy, although they are not traditionally measured. The recognition of these services and its importance for our social, economic and ecological well -being is an important step in improving our relationship with the natural world.
The promotion of more sustainable use of ecosystem services and the reduction of our effects on the environment will also help to ensure the continued existence of the human breed and the stability of our societies. This change requires a change in our attitude and a stronger integration into the natural world, which will ultimately benefit from all of us.
Overall, ecosystem services offer invaluable advantages that are invisible on the market, and their value should be taken into account in the development of economic and environmental policies.