Ecosystem services and Biodiversity - Science for Environment Policy

Summary

The video explores the critical role of ecosystem services in supporting human life, from providing clean water and food to preserving cultural heritage and biodiversity. It highlights the threats facing ecosystems due to human activity, such as deforestation and pollution, and discusses how an ecosystem services approach can help protect biodiversity by valuing both market and non-market benefits. The video emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making and judgment in balancing economic and ecological values to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ecosystems provide vital services such as food, clean water, flood protection, and cultural benefits.
• 😀 Ecosystem services are categorized into provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services.
• 😀 Increasing human pressures are threatening ecosystem services, with 60% of ecosystems showing worrying declines.
• 😀 Healthy ecosystems depend on rich biodiversity, which is essential for maintaining these services.
• 😀 Ecosystem service approaches can help protect biodiversity and improve decision-making regarding land use.
• 😀 Considering the broader range of ecosystem services (beyond just economic ones) can lead to better land-use decisions.
• 😀 Monetary valuation of ecosystem services is only one tool and may not capture all of nature's value.
• 😀 Some ecosystem services, like those provided by trees, can offer benefits such as water purification and storage, which are not always reflected in market value.
• 😀 Crops grown for high market value may not always contribute to biodiversity, as genetically identical crops can be more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
• 😀 Non-monetary values of nature, such as emotional connections with wildlife, can be estimated through techniques like revealed and stated preferences.
• 😀 The distinction between price and value is crucial, as monetary equivalents cannot capture the full human and ecological significance of nature.

Q & A

What are ecosystem services?

Ecosystem services are the benefits provided by ecosystems that support human life and well-being. These include provisioning services (such as food and water), regulating services (like air quality and climate regulation), supporting services (like nutrient cycling), and cultural services (such as recreation and spiritual value).

Why are ecosystem services important?

Ecosystem services are essential for survival, as they provide resources like food, clean water, and medicine, and regulate environmental processes such as climate control and pollination. They also offer cultural benefits and contribute to a sense of place and identity.

What is the current state of ecosystem services globally?

Ecosystem services are under significant threat due to increasing human pressures. Around 60% of ecosystems are experiencing worrying declines, with overexploitation of resources, deforestation, air pollution, and soil erosion being some of the major challenges.

How does biodiversity relate to healthy ecosystems?

Biodiversity is critical for the health of ecosystems. Rich biodiversity ensures the stability and resilience of ecosystems, enabling them to provide essential services like water purification, soil fertility, and climate regulation.

Can the ecosystem service approach help protect biodiversity?

Yes, the ecosystem service approach can help protect biodiversity by recognizing and valuing the diverse benefits ecosystems provide. By considering both economic and non-economic values, it can guide more sustainable land use and conservation practices.

What example is provided to demonstrate the ecosystem service approach?

The example of planting 15,000 hectares of new woodland in the UK illustrates how considering ecosystem services like water storage and purification, in addition to market values like timber, can lead to more sustainable land use decisions that optimize ecological benefits.

Why is it important to consider more than just monetary value in ecosystem service planning?

Monetary value alone may not capture the full range of ecosystem benefits, particularly non-marketed services like biodiversity and cultural significance. Over-reliance on financial metrics could lead to decisions that prioritize short-term gains over long-term ecological health.

What challenges arise from focusing solely on high-value crops like strawberries for ecosystem services?

Focusing on high-value crops like strawberries can lead to reduced biodiversity, as genetically identical crops are more vulnerable to diseases and pests. This approach also neglects the broader ecosystem benefits that diverse, natural landscapes provide.

How can the value of species like the common snowdrop be understood beyond its market price?

The common snowdrop's value extends beyond its market price, as it contains compounds with potential medicinal uses, such as treating Alzheimer's disease and possibly fighting HIV. This highlights the importance of considering ecological and health-related benefits that may not be immediately quantifiable.

What methods are used to estimate the value of non-marketed ecosystem services?

Two common methods to estimate the value of non-marketed services are revealed preference, which looks at the spending habits of individuals (like birdwatchers), and stated preference, which surveys people's willingness to pay for ecosystem preservation or compensation for its loss.

What is the difference between price and value in the context of ecosystem services?

Price refers to the market cost of a good or service, while value encompasses the broader, more subjective importance of an ecosystem service. Price can be a useful tool, but it does not fully capture the wide-ranging human, cultural, and environmental significance of ecosystem services.