Ecosystems as Resources

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Chapter 12

• Ecosystems as Resources

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Global Perspective Ecosystem Abundance
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Global Perspective Ecosystem Services

• Modification of Climate
• Maintenance of Hydrological Cycle
• Erosion Control and Soil Building
• Maintenance of Oxygen and Nitrogen Cycles
• Waste Treatment
• Pest Management
• Carbon Storage and Maintenance of the Carbon Cycle

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Conservation and Preservation

• Conservation management and regulated use of
  ecosystems (logging)
• Preservation ensure continuity, regardless of
  potential utility (old-growth forest)

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Conservation and Preservation Patterns of Use

• Consumptive Use harvesting natural resources for
  immediate needs (food, clothing, shelter)
• Productive Use Exploiting the ecosystem for
  economic gain (timber sale, fish market, )

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Conservation and Preservation Maximum
Sustainable Yield
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Conservation and Preservation

• Tragedy of the Commons resources held in public
  ownership are used to exhaustion for personal
  gain (clamming, fishing, gazing)

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Conservation and Preservation

• Restoration Ecology Replacing the species of a
  disturbed ecosystem with the hopes of restoring
  the functions as well (Baytown, Texas Curtis
  Arboretum, Wisconsin)

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Ecosystems Under Pressure Forests
Forests are being overused for food and being
turned into agricultural land
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Ecosystems Under Pressure Forests

• Silviculture forest management for production of
  products and conservation of the forests
• Sustainable Forestry management that provides
  for the long-term utility and integrity of the
  forests

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Ecosystems Under Pressure Fisheries
World Total
Fish harvests continue to rise globally, placing
continued pressure on the fish populations
World Catch
All Aquaculture
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Ecosystems Under Pressure Fisheries
Overfishing leads to population decimation and
fishery collapse
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Ecosystems Under Pressure Corals and Mangroves
Coral Reefs and coastal Mangrove forests are
threatened by climate change, eutrophication,
pollution, timber harvest, coastal development,
and shrimp aquaculture
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Public and Private Lands Parks and Refuges
There is a system of National Parks and Forests
that offer protection to forest ecosystems in the
United States
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Public and Private Lands Private Lands

• Private Land Trusts Easements can be garnered
  for tax breaks if land-owners agree not to
  develop their land.

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Summary

• Global Perspective ecosystem abundance,
  ecosystem services
• Conservation and Preservation patterns of use,
  maximum sustainable yield, tragedy of the
  commons, restoration ecology
• Ecosystems Under Pressure forests, fisheries,
  coral, mangroves
• Public and Private Lands National Parks and
  Forests, land trusts