Question

What are ecosystem services? What lessons do they give to human society?

Answer 1

Ecosystem processes and products that have a direct or indirect role in maintaining the balance of nature, protecting the various components of biosphere and providing resources to wildlife, tribals and other humans are called ecosystem services.
Four of these services are :
(i) Carbon Fixation. Manufacture of food in photosynthesis results in absorption of $C{O}_2$ by plants and maintaining its level in atmosphere. The process provides food to all organisms including tribals, grazing animals and several useful products to industries.
(ii) Oxygen Release. During carbon fixation plants release oxygen. The process replenishes the gas being consumed in respiration and combustion.
(iii) Pollination. A number of insects and other animals are engaged in pollination of plants. They obtain food in return.
(iv) Seed Dispersal. Several plants disperse their seeds with the help of animals. The animals are rewarded with food.
Ecosystems are self contained systems with intricate inter-relationship which should not be distributed as they are likely to affect the balance of nature and the services they provide. Already, destruction of several forests in the past has resulted in rise of $C{O}_2$ concentration, increased floods and desertification of large tracts.