Which of the Following is Not an Ecosystem Service? Quiz to Find Out!
The world’s most developed population consumes a majority of the planet’s energy. Coastal watersheds support a dense layer of plants and provide ecological services. However, the rapid growth rate of plants uses up resources quickly. In addition, wetlands are essential for ecosystems as they supply water and nutrients. Which of the following is not an ecosystem service? Quiz to find out! Try to answer as many questions as you can!
Quiz topic: Which of the following is not an ecosystem service
When we talk about ecosystems, we typically refer to the bionetworks that support life on Earth. However, an ecosystem can also be defined as something that provides the capacity to produce something that does not exist. For example, a forest is a habitat for several plant species, but if only a few remain, that habitat is not considered an ecosystem service. A forest restoration project is considered meaningful when there is a potential for the plants to grow and thrive.
An ecosystem can provide ecosystem goods to humans. Ecosystem goods directly benefit human populations and wildlife populations in a given area. For example, an increase in fish abundance benefits fishermen. Despite the obvious benefits, an ecosystem cannot provide these services if there are no identifiable human beneficiaries. The same is true for ecosystem processes. Some ecosystems provide direct benefits to humans, such as pollination of crops or attenuation of flooding.
Economic consequences of eutrophication in a coastal watershed
The world’s population is increasing, from 6.5 billion in 2005 to 9.2 billion by 2050, with the majority growing in less developed nations. The rate of growth in coastal areas is particularly alarming, with estimates ranging from 1.8 to 5.2 billion by 2080. This growth in population will place an increased demand on coastal areas’ natural resources, as well as increase the need for energy and agricultural production.
The most severe symptom of eutrophication is hypoxia, which occurs when dead organisms sink to the bottom and are decomposed by bacteria using dissolved oxygen. In addition, salinity and temperature differences increase the risk of stratification and reduce oxygen replenishment from surface waters. The result is a dead zone and fish mortality. These conditions are not conducive to thriving fisheries.
In order to address the eutrophication problem, we need to develop better ways to measure and reduce the amount of nutrients entering coastal watersheds. This requires research, monitoring, and evaluation. Nutrient budgets are crucial for determining the amount of nutrients entering waterways and developing effective measures to control nutrient losses. By determining the source of nutrients and their concentration in streams, a nutrient budget can be generated, which will guide strategies and establish reduction targets.
Anthropogenic nutrient overenrichment is a major stressor to coastal ecosystems. Excess nutrients increase the growth of algae and the availability of organic carbon. This process is known as eutrophication. Furthermore, recent scientific investigations conducted in the northern Gulf of Mexico have shown that large portions of the Louisiana continental shelf are experiencing hypoxia during some months of the year. Hypoxia is an extremely low oxygen level and could threaten the economy of the Louisiana continental shelf.
Efforts to control nutrient inputs have resulted in improved water clarity, an expanded cover of submerged aquatic vegetation, and a reduction of plankton biomass. However, these efforts have not yielded sufficient results. A number of variables have remained elevated or decreased for decades, requiring long-term monitoring to assess the extent of recovery. This suggests that reducing nutrient inputs to a coastal watershed is crucial for preventing environmental degradation and preserving ecosystem health.
To reduce nutrient pollution, government can implement a polluter-pays tax. This tax is directly imposed on the industry or population that releases pollutants into the watershed. These revenues are then used to improve wastewater treatment plants and add nitrogen-removing capability to septic systems. However, these methods are not ideal and need to be considered in combination with regulatory measures. Therefore, it is critical to assess the benefits and costs of different methods.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversees the CENR assessment. This assessment looks at the state of knowledge regarding hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico, including the economic and environmental impacts of the situation. The assessment considers how the changes in nutrient concentrations and ratios affect Gulf fisheries, regional economies, and human livelihood. It also identifies gaps in our understanding of the problem and proposes management strategies to deal with it.
Characteristics of a sustainable ecosystem
Ecosystem services provide essential support to life and economic activity. They purify air, cycle nutrients, provide pollination services for plants, and act as receptacles for waste from human activity. However, despite their similarities, ecosystems differ significantly when they are referred to as a business. To make sure that we don’t damage our environment, we should focus on the five principles of a sustainable ecosystem.
Managing ecosystems requires a combination of dynamic controls to sustain their traits. Without these interactions, ecosystems cannot provide a sustainable service to human needs. Thus, the key is to find ways to enhance positive feedbacks and minimize negative feedbacks. In this quizlet, we will define sustainable ecosystems by identifying those features that promote sustainability. The key to sustaining ecosystems is understanding the relationship between ecosystem health and human well-being.
