|
SERVICES
|
ECOSYSTEM
FUNCTIONS
|
EXAMPLES |
|
Gas regulation |
Regulation of chemical
composition of atmosphere |
Carbon sequestration, oxygen and ozone
production |
|
Climate regulation |
Regulation of
temperatures |
Urban heat amelioration, wind generation, noise
abatement |
|
Disturbance regulation |
Regulation of episodic and large
environmental fluctuations on ecosystem
functioning |
Flood control, drought recovery, refuges from severe
environmental events |
|
Water regulation |
Regulation of water
flow |
Capture and gradual release of water by vegetation
for urban use |
|
Water supply |
Storage and retention of
water |
Supply of water by rivers, watersheds and reservoirs
for agricultural, industrial and household
use |
|
Erosion control |
Retention of soil within an
ecosystem |
Prevention of soil loss by vegetation cover and by
capturing soil in wetlands |
|
Soil formation |
Soil formation
processes |
Weathering of rock by water, accumulation of organic
material in woodlands and wetlands |
|
Nutrient cycling |
Storage, recycling, capture and
processing of nutrients |
Nitrogen fixation, nitrogen cycling through food
chains |
|
Waste treatment |
Recovery of nutrients, removal
and breakdown of excess nutrients |
Breaking down of waste, detoxifying
pollution |
|
Pollination |
Movement of floral
gametes |
Supply of pollinators for plant reproduction,
including insects, birds and rodents |
|
Biological control |
Regulation of animal and plant
populations |
Predator control of prey species - rodent, insect and
bat control etc. |
|
Refugia |
Habitat for resident and
migratory population |
Nurseries, habitat for migratory birds, regional
habitats for species |
|
Food production |
Primary production for
food |
Production of fish, crops, fruit etc. by
non-commercial farming |
|
Raw materials |
Primary production for raw
materials |
Production of fuel, craftwork materials, house
building materials, fodder etc. |
|
Genetic resources |
Unique biological materials and
products |
Genes for resistance to plant diseases, ornamental
species, plant medicines |
|
Recreation |
Providing opportunities for
recreation activities |
Ecotourism, sport fishing, swimming and other outdoor
recreation activities |
|
Cultural |
Providing opportunities for
aesthetic, educational, spiritual, intrinsic and
scientific use of ecosystems |
Scenic views, environmental education, research
opportunities, sense of place, an attractive living
environment for DMA
residents |
