What Are Ecosystem Services?

Services from nature, i.e. ecosystem services are defined as the “benefits people get from eco systems”. They directly or indirectly affect people’s survival and their quality of life. People sometimes forget how important nature and biodiversity are for their everyday functioning. Food, clothing, transportation, medicines and energy are products or services from different ecosystems. Water, food and medical resources are some of the numerous raw materials that people get directly from various ecosystems.

Photo: Kristina Najdovska

Food is an important factor in the environment. It is necessary for life and it is the main energy source. Food is part of ecosystems that connects us all. All ecosystems provide conditions for growing and collecting food, as well as for hunting and fishing. Out of all ecosystem services, food production is the only one with a constant growth in recent history. However, with climate change, global warming and pollution of soil, water and air, food will diminish. Both for people and all other living organisms. Ecosystems have an important role in the flow of water and the storage of fresh water. There is a lot of water in the world, however the majority has a high percentage of salt and is part of oceans. The largest deposits of fresh water are glaciers, but that water is not always accessible. Fresh water is not important only for the survival of humans, but for all existing species of animals and plants.

By environmental protection we make sure that the ecosystem services offered by nature will be available in the future as well.