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Benefits of an Ecosystem. Benefits of an Ecosystem. Cultural Products Environmental Economic Other. Cultural. Recreation- canoeing, swimming, fishing Educational- walks led by naturalists to learn more about birds and plants Spiritual- inspiration, reduce stress. Products.
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Benefits of an Ecosystem • Cultural • Products • Environmental • Economic • Other
Cultural • Recreation- canoeing, swimming, fishing • Educational- walks led by naturalists to learn more about birds and plants • Spiritual- inspiration, reduce stress
Products Ecosystems also provide us with products that make our lives easier • Examples • Lumber- from trees • Food- fruits and vegetables, fish, meat • Medicines
Environmental • Climate moderation-plants take in CO2 , which helps trap thermal energy that warms the Earth’s surface • Water and air purification- certain plants and organisms can remove and destroy some harmful chemicals in the air, water and soil • Oxygen supply- through photosynthesis
Economic • Job opportunities- forestry • Tourism products and services- ecotourism
Other • Erosion reduction- roots of plant anchor the soil • Flood prevention- wetlands absorb surface water • Maintaining balanced wildlife
Balance & Change in Ecosystems Equilibrium: the state of an ecosystem in which the biotic and abiotic features remain relatively constant over a long period of time
Balance & Change in Ecosystems Equilibrium: the state of an ecosystem in which the biotic and abiotic features remain relatively constant over a long period of time Succession: the observed changes over time in an ecosystem, following a disturbance
Balance & Change in Ecosystems Equilibrium: the state of an ecosystem in which the biotic and abiotic features remain relatively constant over a long period of time Succession: the observed changes over time in an ecosystem, following a disturbance Disturbance examples: forest fire volcanic eruption hurricane human disturbance
Balance & Change in Ecosystems Stages of Succession after a disturbance leaving only bare rock
Balance & Change in Ecosystems Stages of Succession after a disturbance leaving only bare rock stage 1: lichen and moss
Balance & Change in Ecosystems Stages of Succession after a disturbance leaving only bare rock stage 1: lichen and moss stage 2: annual plants (create seeds & die at the end of each year)
Balance & Change in Ecosystems Stages of Succession after a disturbance leaving only bare rock stage 1: lichen and moss stage 2: annual plants stage 3: small perennials (live year after year)
Balance & Change in Ecosystems Stages of Succession after a disturbance leaving only bare rock stage 1: lichen and moss stage 2: annual plants stage 3: small perennials stage 4: scrub (shrubs & small trees)
Balance & Change in Ecosystems Stages of Succession after a disturbance leaving only bare rock stage 1: lichen and moss stage 2: annual plants stage 3: small perennials stage 4: scrub stage 5: mixed forest (remains stable in this stage)