Question

What are ecosystem services? What lessons do they give to human society?

Answer 1

Hint: An ecosystem can be defined as the interaction between biotic and abiotic components in a community. These interactions maintain equilibrium in the ecosystem. There are many types of ecosystems such as terrestrial, marine, freshwater, forest and grassland. Each ecosystem and its components play a key role in maintaining our wellbeing and health. The numerous benefits we obtain from the ecosystem are known as ecosystem services.

Complete answer:
Ecosystem services can be defined as the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human wellbeing that have an impact on survival and quality of life. They are the benefits people get from ecosystems.
Ecosystem services can be divided into four types- Provisioning services, regulating services, Supporting services and Cultural services.
Provisioning services includes the products or raw materials we obtain from ecosystems like food, water, medicines and other resources. These provisional services are much needed for the physical wellbeing of humans. Some of the regulating services the ecosystem provides are treatment of wastewater, maintaining air quality, carbon sequestration, control of greenhouse gases, enabling pollination etc.
Supporting services acts as the basis for other services. Ecosystems provide habitat for different life forms, they retain biodiversity, they help maintain the genetic diversity on the earth, they help in nutrient cycling, and maintain conditions that support life on the earth.
Cultural services include tourism and other recreational, aesthetic and spiritual services. Most natural elements like landscapes, mountains and oceans are used as a place for cultural and artistic purposes.

Note:
The services that the ecosystem provides are immeasurable. Among all the ecosystem services, supporting services alone contribute about \[50\% \] while the rest of the services account for less than \[10\% \]. Any living thing on earth needs an ecosystem and their services for survival. Hence preserving and maintaining the ecosystem becomes a crucial responsibility for humans. Each individual should take up this responsibility and put efforts to preserve the ecosystem and prevent its deterioration.