Ecosystems and the Services They Provide

Molla Mekonnen Alemu

doi:10.5539/jsd.v9n3p1

Abstract

Every life form is dependent on ecosystem services for food, water, fiber, ecological regulation and societal values. During the past 50 years, human beings interfered in to the wellbeing of these ecosystems and the services they provide, mainly to fulfill the ever increasing demand of humans. Many ecosystems are being degraded by putting their ecological services in jeopardy and causing considerably irremediable losses of biodiversity from the face of the earth. The degradation of these resources is also expected to grow in the years to come by posing a threat to the wellbeing of humanity in various forms. The threat, therefore, needs a collaborated action from grass root to global level entities and bodies. Strong policy, strategy and institutional frameworks and action plans could also play a role in averting the ongoing degradation of the ecosystem services. This paper is therefore, aimed at highlighting the major ecosystem services and some possible measures that will help to mitigate the degradation of their services.

Highlights

Ecosystems are composed of the biological living things community in an area and the chemical as well as physical elements of the environment such as climate, weather, atmosphere, etc. (Walt, 2008).In the natural world, the whole thing is interrelated
In all parts of the world, ecosystems provide the space for the survival and wellbeing of the immense biodiversity resources of the planet
The healthy and proper relationship and interaction of these diverse forms of life in the different ecosystems is the foundation for the wellbeing of humanity

Summary

Introduction

Ecosystems are composed of the biological living things community (animals, plants and organisms that interact with each other) in an area and the chemical as well as physical elements of the environment such as climate, weather, atmosphere, etc. (Walt, 2008). Healthy ecosystems have a role in regulating weather and climatic factors from local to global levels, whilst assisting in economic, social and political developments of a nation or a community. They support the enhancement of livelihood opportunities through, soil and water conservation, flood regulation, disaster risk reduction, food security and water supply. Local and global ecosystems, are facing tremendous pressure as a result of the growing demand of the ever increasing population rate of the globe This is affecting the future of sustainable development through biodiversity loss, climate change and different forms of disaster like flood. If these alarm have to be altered, different actors of development (Government, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, communities) need to have a coordinated action as all the entities have a paramount role in overcoming this global challenge (UNEP, 2010)

Methodology

The concept of Ecosystem

Findings

Ecosystem Services

Conclusion