Ecosystem Services

Question 1

The 4 ecosystem services

Answer 1

1. Provisioning
2. Regulating
3. Cultural
4. Supporting
   (Rmb PRCS)

Question 2

Provisioning services

Answer 2

1. Tangible resources that people can get from ecosystems such as food, water and wood.
2. Can be found in an urban neighbourhood ecosystem.
   Example: food is grown in an urban community gardens focused on planting edibles on rooftops at Tampines’ HDB blocks.

Question 3

Regulating services

Answer 3

3 parts —> regulating the local climate/ water flows/ local air quality

Includes services such as climate regulating, disease outbreak regulation and flood regulation.

EXAMPLE: Some of the regulating services in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park include:
Climate: trees can lower surface and air temp. by providing shade to ppl.
Water flows: vegetation cover reduce surface runoff by retaining water in the soil. -> water flow regulation. Provided by natural land cover.
Air quality: trees or other plants removes air pollutants from the atmosphere.

Question 4

Cultural services

Answer 4

1. Intangible benefits ppl obtain from ecosystems. This includes aesthetic experiences, educational opportunities and recreational activities.
2. Can improve ppls physical/mental health and foster social belonging and group identity, thus strengthening their sense of place.
   Example: At Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, ppl can engage in recreational activities such as hiking, as well as a space which provides educational opportunities, such as when geography students engage in fieldwork.

Question 5

Supporting services

Answer 5

1. Services that are necessary for the functioning of all other ecosystem services, including soil formation, pollination and photosynthesis.
   Etc soil is formed when micro-organisms and physical processes decompose organic matter and break them down into smaller particles. Soil is essential for the health of all terrestrial ecosystems as it provides a habitat for billions of organisms, contributes to biodiversity, and acts as a water filter.
   Photosynthesis: plants absorb CO2 and give out oxygen which maintains the oxygen content of the earth’s atmosphere, ensuring that all other ecosystems can function.