Bio∆4 - “New instruments to enhance the biodiversity of cross-border forest ecosystems” ITAT2021 A project financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the context of the 2014 - 2020 Interreg V-A Italy - Austria programme (2017 call for tenders). The Italian portion is co-financed by the national rotating fund (C.I.P.E. - Interdepartmental Committee for Economic Planning - resolution).
PEFC/18-22-13/03 Promuoviamo la Gestione Sostenibile delle Foreste www.pefc.it
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
The functions of wooded
lands and natural ecosystems
Forest ecosystems provide numerous benefits to human communities each day. These benefits are essential for community life and well- being. In scientific language, these benefits are called “ecosystem services”.
Ecosystem supply services comprise direct production of resources for nourishment, energy sources and oxygen.
Ecosystem regulating services refer to ecosystem functions and their capacity to regulate the local microclimate, control water flows, purify water and air, preserve soil fertility against erosion, avoid or mitigate floods, store water and carbon dioxide, and act as habitat for the flora and fauna.
Finally, ecosystem cultural services refer to the possibility of having recreational, sports, educational and nature observation experiences and to the symbolic, spiritual, landscape, and historic and cultural memory conservation values that every ecosystem expresses.
The more biodiverse the ecosystem, the greater the quantity and variety of ecosystem services it produces in space and time.
Examples of ecosystem services
Re-elaborated by BL, WUR, CICES 2014 www.pbl.nl
CO2 Wood, fibre,
genetic resources
Water for other purposes Food
Drinking water Biomass
for energy
PROVISIONING SERVICES
CULTURAL
SERVICES Symbolic value Green
recreation
Science and education Natural
heritage
REGULATING SERVICES
Cooling in cities Carbon
storage
Water storage
Absorption of noise, wind
and visual disturbances Pollination
Counteracting soil erosion Natural pest
suppression Purification of
soil, water, air
Soil fertility Coastal protection
