Summary
Highlights
Ecosystems are vital for various reasons, offering a wide array of goods and services essential for human well-being and planetary health.
Ecosystems provide biomass for renewable energy, drinking water, food for humans and animals, timber for construction and furniture, and numerous ingredients for medicines, toiletries, and household products. These goods have significant economic benefits.
Ecosystems offer green spaces for leisure and recreation, supporting physical and mental well-being. They also preserve natural heritage, creating protected areas that boost local economies through tourism, and are crucial for scientific research and education, particularly regarding conservation and climate change.
Ecosystems provide regulating services such as coastal protection, with examples like mangrove forests buffering against strong winds and storm surges. They also regulate water, soil, and air quality by filtering pollutants and encouraging soil fertility through nutrient cycling.
Ecosystems are vital carbon stores, with plants absorbing CO2 for photosynthesis and releasing oxygen, playing a crucial role in combating climate change. They also reduce soil erosion by binding soil with roots and preventing desiccation with leaf litter.
Ecosystems encourage pollination by animals and wind, which is crucial for plant reproduction. They store water in various forms and suppress diseases and pests naturally, reducing the need for harmful chemical solutions.
Ecosystems prevent urban heat islands by providing shade and releasing moisture through transpiration, making natural areas cooler than built-up ones. They also soften the visual and noise impact of infrastructure like motorways and new developments, acting as natural windbreaks.