Ecosystem Functions and Services
Ecosystem
functions are the physical,
chemical, and biological processes or attributes
that contribute to the self-maintenance of an ecosystem; in other words, what the
ecosystem does. Some examples of ecosystem functions are provision of wildlife
habitat, carbon cycling, or the trapping of nutrients. Thus, ecosystems, such as wetlands,
forests, or estuaries, can be characterized by the processes, or functions,
that occur within them.
Ecosystem
services are the beneficial outcomes, for the natural environment or people, that
result from ecosystem functions. Some examples of ecosystem services are support
of the food chain, harvesting of animals or plants, and the provision of clean water
or scenic views. In order for an ecosystem to provide
services to humans, some
interaction with, or at least some appreciation by, humans is required. Thus,
functions of ecosystems are value-neutral, while their services have value to society. BUT
ecosystems have value regardless of human interaction!