Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity
Day 2 -Ecosystem Services (2.2)
Class Date - 9/10
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) was called for by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2000. Initiated in 2001, the objective of the MEA was to assess the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and the scientific basis for action needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of those systems and their contribution to human well-being. The MEA has involved the work of more than 1,360 experts worldwide. Their findings, contained in five technical volumes and six synthesis reports, provide a state-of-the-art scientific appraisal of the condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems and the services they provide (such as clean water, food, forest products, flood control, and natural resources) and the options to restore, conserve or enhance the sustainable use of ecosystems.
The bottom line of the MEA findings is that human actions are depleting Earth’s natural capital, putting such strain on the environment that the ability of the planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted. At the same time, the assessment shows that with appropriate actions it is possible to reverse the degradation of many ecosystem services over the next 50 years, but the changes in policy and practice required are substantial and not currently underway.
The link to the reading assignment below will take you to the section of the MEA that describes ecosystem services. You do not have to read the entire 22 page document. Please skim until you get to the bottom of page 53. Carefully read the section on ecosystem services on pages 53-60. You can skim the information in the gray boxes.
The bottom line of the MEA findings is that human actions are depleting Earth’s natural capital, putting such strain on the environment that the ability of the planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted. At the same time, the assessment shows that with appropriate actions it is possible to reverse the degradation of many ecosystem services over the next 50 years, but the changes in policy and practice required are substantial and not currently underway.
The link to the reading assignment below will take you to the section of the MEA that describes ecosystem services. You do not have to read the entire 22 page document. Please skim until you get to the bottom of page 53. Carefully read the section on ecosystem services on pages 53-60. You can skim the information in the gray boxes.