Ecosystem Services Lesson

Ecosystem Services

2.3.1

Objectives

Learners can:

• identify important ecosystem services

• differentiate between different benefits provided by ecosystem services

• describe the processes that support ecosystem services

• decomposer

• erosion

• natural resource

Prerequisite Vocab

• product

• regulate

New Vocab

Vocabulary

something humans make from other materials

Product

​control an action or process

Regulate

Match

Match the following

• erosion

• decomposer

• natural resources

when soil is moved

organism that breaks down dead matter

anything found in nature

• when soil is moved

• organism that breaks down dead matter

• anything found in nature

Word Cloud

What is something you don't think you could live without?

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystems benefit in many different ways. Some benefits are related to resources, and others may be aesthetic. Regardless of how essential a use may seem, it still represents an important ecosystem service.

• nonmaterial benefits provided by the ecosystem

• ex. enjoying nature on a hike, using plants for decor

Cultural Services

• ​resources that come from the natural environment

• ex. food, water, wood, coal

Provisioning Services

• benefits that maintain environmental processes

• ex. plants absorb carbon and produce oxygen, air quality regulation

Regulating Services

​Ecosystem Services

Match

Match the statement to the ecosystem service it is describing.

• cultural services

• provisioning services

• regulating services

enjoying the natural environment

raw materials and necessary resources

maintain balance of the environment

• enjoying the natural environment

• raw materials and necessary resources

• maintain balance of the environment

Cultural services primarily include the nonmaterial benefits that are provided by ecosystems. This can include aesthetic and recreational benefits, such as going to the beach on vacation or hiking through a park. Cultural services also include the religious or spiritual values associated with ecosystems.

​

Cultural Services

Provisioning services include all of the materials and resources obtained from the environment. Some actions, such as using wood for a campfire, use resources in their raw form. However, all items require natural resources to make. Products are something that humans make from other materials.

​

Provisioning Services

Energy is being produced by water which is a natural resource.

Hydropower

​Meats, fruits, and vegetables are provisioning services since they come from plants and animals which are considered natural resources.

Food

Medicines are produced from products in nature.

Medicines

Multiple Select

Which of the following are examples of provisioning services?

Select 2 correct answers.

• a park to hike in

• fuel for energy

• a nature preserve to study

• food to eat

Regulating services are benefits that help maintain and balance ecosystems. Regulate means to control an action or process. In ecosystems, regulation can be accomplished in a number of different ways.

​

Regulating Services

Help stabilize the ground and control erosion rates.

Plant Roots

Abiotic features like mountain ranges help maintain the climate conditions of ecosystems.

Mountain Ranges

​Photosynthesis is the process plants use to produce energy from sunlight. Plants are the basis for most food webs. Photosynthesis also produces the oxygen that animals need to survive.

Photosynthesis

When an organism dies, decomposers break down the organic material. This breakdown provides essential nutrients to other areas of the environment.

Nutrient Cycling

The formation of soil creates an environment for plants to grow and animals to live. Many organisms would not have access to the necessary food supply without soil.

Soil Formation

​Supporting Services

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would most likely occur in an ecosystem if the processes of supporting services stopped?

• The ecosystem would no longer be able to exist and other services would no longer be provided.

• The ecosystem would continue to exist but would need to rely on other services instead.

• The ecosystem would still be able to provide other services, but some processes may take a longer time.

• The ecosystem would improve as other services would be able to have a more significant influence.

Categorize

Options (9)

metals

oil

wood

plant pollination

waste decomposition

water filtration

national parks

hiking trails

environmental learning centers

Sort each word or phrase by whether it represents a provisioning, regulating, or cultural service.

Provisioning Services

Regulating Services

Cultural Services