2. What are Ecological Goods & Services?
Resources and processes which are provided by the environment and which enable the human
race to survive and thrive
3. Ecological Goods
Raw products found in the environment that are used by the human race
What types of things does my
environment give me?
4. Ecological Goods (examples)
clean air
fresh water
food and nutrients
soil
timber
raw materials (oil, potash, minerals)
medicine
5. Ecological Services
Processes in nature that are necessary for life (or which replenish ecological goods)
What types of things does my
environment do for me?
6. Ecological Services (examples)
cycling of water (Hydrologic cycle)
cycling of nutrients (Nitrogen cycle)
cycling of gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen during photosynthesis)
sequestering and storing Carbon (Carbon cycle)
regulating climate and air quality (trees)
moderating extreme weather events
7. Ecological Services (examples continued)
treating waste water
detoxifying and decomposing waste materials
pollinating crops, fruit trees, etc.
dispersing seeds
providing pleasing aesthetics (for tourism, cultural activities, and artistic expression)
8. What is Natural Capital?
The economic value of the available natural resources in an area:
water
land
air
any renewable and non-renewable resources
