Ecosystem Services That Our Economies Depend On
The World Economic Forum has calculated that a full 50% of the world's GDP is based on ecosystem services, and that the loss of biodiversity is a strong threat to the global economy. Below are some of the major Ecosystem Services that our economy heavily depends on:
| Category | Ecosystem Service | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Provisioning Services | Biomass | Includes food (crops, livestock, fish, etc.), materials (wood, fibers, etc.), and energy (biofuels, etc.). |
| Water | Freshwater used for drinking, irrigation, and industrial processes. | |
| Genetic materials | Used for crop breeding, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnological applications. | |
| Regulation & Maintenance Services | Climate Regulation | Ecosystems regulate the global climate by sequestering carbon and reflecting sunlight. |
| Water Regulation and Purification | Wetlands filter pollutants from water, and forests regulate water flow. | |
| Pollination | Essential for the production of many crops and linked to food security. | |
| Soil Formation and Fertility | Healthy soils are vital for agriculture and forest production. | |
| Disease and Pest Regulation | Ecosystems regulate the prevalence of many pests and diseases. | |
| Cultural Services | Recreational and Tourism | Natural landscapes and biodiversity are major attractions for tourism. |
| Aesthetic Value | Beauty of natural landscapes contributes to human well-being. | |
| Spiritual and Religious Value | Many cultures attribute spiritual significance to certain ecosystems. | |
| Cognitive and Educational | Ecosystems provide opportunities for scientific research and education. |
Ask Yourself
Which Ecosystem Services is Your company Depending On?
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