The Value of Biodiversity Biological and Ecosystem Services Values Estimated values for ecosystem services Categories of services Examples of services Estimated yearly value (Trillion 1994 USD) Soil formation Weathering, organic matter 17.1 Recreation Outdoor recreation, ecotourism, sport fishing 3.0 Nutrient cycling and waste Nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter 2.4 treatment availabilit Water services Irrigation, industry, watersheds, aquifers etc 2.3 Climate regulation Greenhouse gas regulation 1.8 Refuges Nursery areas for animals, stopping places during migration, overwintering areas Disturbance regulation and Protection from storms and floods, drought 1.2 erosion control recovery Food and raw materials Hunting and gathering, fishing, lumber, fuel 0.8 wood food for Genetic resources Medicines, reservoir of genes for 0.8 domesticated plants and animals Atmospheric gas balance Carbon dioxide, oxygen, ozone, sulfur oxides 0.7 Pollination and pest control Increased production of fruits 0.5 Total 33
The Value of Biodiversity • Biological and Ecosystem Services Values Estimated values for ecosystem services Estimated values for ecosystem services Categories of services Categories of services Examples of services Examples of services Estimated yearly value Estimated yearly value (Trillion 1994 USD) (Trillion 1994 USD) Soil formation Weathering, organic matter 17.1 Recreation Outdoor recreation, ecotourism, sport fishing 3.0 Nutrient cycling and waste treatment Nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter availability 2.4 Water services Irrigation, industry, watersheds, aquifers etc. 2.3 Climate regulation Greenhouse gas regulation 1.8 Refuges Nursery areas for animals, stopping places during migration, overwintering areas 1.4 Disturbance regulation and erosion control Protection from storms and floods, drought recovery 1.2 Food and raw materials Hunting and gathering, fishing, lumber, fuel wood, food for animals 0.8 Genetic resources Medicines, reservoir of genes for domesticated plants and animals 0.8 Atmospheric gas balance Carbon dioxide, oxygen, ozone, sulfur oxides 0.7 Pollination and pest control Increased production of fruits 0.5 Total 33
The Value of Biodiversity Direct Economic values People receive many values from the use of organisms , Easily valued resources Timber resources harvested sUs 140 billion Fisheries resources harvested sUs 57 billion .s Resources never enter the formal economy Firewood: over 60% of wood is burned as fuel worldwide Wild foods: directly consumed by people who harvested them Gaining economic values may result in loss of biodiversity .s Harvesting of ivory is reducing the number of elephants Harvesting of alligators for their hides is cutting alligator numbers
The Value of Biodiversity • Direct Economic Values – People receive many values from the use of organisms Easily valued resources ¾ Timber resources harvested: $US 140 billion ¾ Fisheries resources harvested: $US 57 billion Resources never enter the formal economy ¾ Firewood: over 60% of wood is burned as fuel worldwide ¾ Wild foods: directly consumed by people who harvested them – Gaining economic values may result in loss of biodiversity Harvesting of ivory is reducing the number of elephants Harvesting of alligators for their hides is cutting alligator numbers
The value of Biodiversity Ethical values An ethical position that is unrelated to social or economic consideration . All species have an intrinsic value and a fundamental right to exist Extinction of a species by itself is not bad, but human-initiated extinction is bad The values held by a person are typically shaped by experlence . People living in rural settings have a basic understanding of how ecosystems functions Urbanization results in a continual erosion of the nature experiences that can shape the values of people
The Value of Biodiversity • Ethical Values – An ethical position that is unrelated to social or economic consideration All species have an intrinsic value and a fundamental right to exist. Extinction of a species by itself is not bad, but human-initiated extinction is bad. – The values held by a person are typically shaped by experience People living in rural settings have a basic understanding of how ecosystems functions. Urbanization results in a continual erosion of the nature experiences that can shape the values of people
Threats to Biodiversity a tension between the desire to use biotic resources and a wish to maintain biodiversity Farmland, lumber, or animal products can be given a measurable monetary value by the economic marketplace It is often difficult to put an economic value on the preservation of biodiversity and the environmental services provided by organisms Four major human activities threaten to reduce biodiversity Habitat loss Overexploitation Introduction of exotic species Persecution of pest organisms
Threats to Biodiversity • A tension between the desire to use biotic resources and a wish to maintain biodiversity. – Farmland, lumber, or animal products can be given a measurable monetary value by the economic marketplace. – It is often difficult to put an economic value on the preservation of biodiversity and the environmental services provided by organisms. • Four major human activities threaten to reduce biodiversity: – Habitat loss Habitat loss – Overexploitation Overexploitation – Introduction of exotic species Introduction of exotic species – Persecution of pest organisms Persecution of pest organisms
Threats to Biodiversity Habitat loss About 80% to 90%of threatened species are under threat because of habitat loss or fragmentation The primary activities that result in habitat loss are Farming 令 Forest Grazing by livestock Modification of aquatic habitats .s Conversion to urban and industrial landscapes
Threats to Biodiversity • Habitat loss – About 80% to 90% of threatened species are under threat because of habitat loss or fragmentation. – The primary activities that result in habitat loss are: Farming Farming Forestry Forestry Grazing by livestock Grazing by livestock Modification of aquatic habitats Modification of aquatic habitats Conversion to urban and industrial landscapes Conversion to urban and industrial landscapes