ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Rebekah Runyon
AP Enviro pd.1
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
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Ecosystem services are the beneficial outcomes, for the natural
environment or people, that result from ecosystem functions.
Some examples of ecosystem services are support of the food
chain, harvesting of animals or plants, and the provision of
clean water or scenic views
Flood Damage Control
Pollination
Water Purification
Forest Carbon
Storage
MARINE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
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Marine ecosystem services refer to benefits that people obtain
from marine ecosystems, including the open ocean, coastal
seas, and estuaries.
These services are provided by the South Florida Ecosystem.
More than one third of the world's population lives in coastal
areas, and people throughout the world depend intimately on
the oceans and coasts, and the resources they provide, for
survival and well-being.
These services are known as provisioning services. These
include food, water, timber, and fiber. More than a billion
people worldwide rely on fish as their main source of protein.
Fisheries and associated industries employ 38 million people
directly, and another 162 million are indirectly supported.
Other provisioning services from marine ecosystems include
building materials from mangrove and coral reef areas, and
pharmaceutical compounds derived from marine algae and
invertebrates.
COASTAL FOOD WEB
1st level:
2nd level:
3rd level:
Fish
Sun
Shark
Plankton
Algae
Crabs
Bird
Clams
OVERFISHING
What is Overfishing?
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Overfishing is an issue which is problematic to coastal
ecosystems.
Overfishing occurs when fishing activities reduce fish stocks
below an acceptable level. This can occur in any body of
water from a pond to the oceans.
It is defined as catching too much fish for the system to
support, which leads to an overall degradation to the system.
Overfishing is a non-sustainable use of the oceans.
The practice of commercial and non-commercial fishing is
often the key influence in overfishing.
THE PROBLEM OF OVERFISHING
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To explain why overfishing is a problem we first have to get an idea on the scale of the
problem. This is best done by looking at some figures published by the UN Food and
Agriculture Organization. the real situation.
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52% of fish stocks are fully exploited
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20% are moderately exploited
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17% are overexploited
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7% are depleted
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1% is recovering from depletion
Thus a total of almost 80% of the world's fisheries are fully- to over-exploited, depleted, or in
a state of collapse. Worldwide about 90% of the stocks of large predatory fish stocks are
already gone. In the real world all this comes down to two serious problems.
We are in risk of losing a valuable food source many depend upon for social, economical
or dietary reasons.
The single best example of the ecological and economical dangers of overfishing is found
in Newfoundland, Canada. In 1992 the once thriving cod fishing industry came to a
sudden and full stop when at the start of the fishing season no cod appeared. Overfishing
allowed by decades of fisheries mismanagement was the main cause for this disaster that
resulted in almost 40.000 people losing their livelihood and an ecosystem in complete state
of decay. Now, fifteen years after the collapse, many fishermen are still waiting for the cod
to return and communities still haven't recovered from the sudden removal of the regions
single most important economical driver. The only people thriving in this region are the
ones fishing for crab, a species once considered a nuisance by the Newfoundland
fishermen.
MORE PROBLEMS OF
OVERFISHING
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Along with negatively affecting people, overfishing affects the
ecosystem as well.
We are losing species as well as entire ecosystems. As a result
the overall ecological unity of our oceans are under stress and
at risk of collapse.
Scientists agree that at current exploitation rates many
important fish stocks will be removed from the system within 25
years.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=857471480519889744
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP?
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The effects of overfishing are still reversible, that is, if we act now and act
strongly.
If we want to we can reverse most of the destruction. In some situations it
might only take a decade, in other situations it might take many centuries.
Yet in the end we can have productive and healthy oceans again as is
shown in many examples around the world. We do however need to act on
it now, before we cross the point of no return.
Every long-term successful and sustainable fishery, near-shore or high-seas,
needs to be managed according to some basic ground rules:
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Save catch limits
A constantly reassessed, scientifically determined, limit on the total number of fish
caught and landed by a fishery. Politics and short time economical incentives
should have no role in this.
Controls on bycatch
The use of techniques or management rules to prevent the unintentional killing and
disposal of fish, crustaceans and other oceanic life not part of the target catch or
landed.
Protection of pristine and important habitats
The key parts in ecosystems need full protection from destructive fisheries; e.g. the
spawning and nursing grounds of fish, delicate sea floor, unique unexplored
habitats, and corals.
Monitoring and Enforcement
A monitoring system to make sure fishermen do not land more than they are
allowed to, do not fish in closed areas and cheat as less as possible. Strong
monetary enforcement is needed to make it uneconomic to cheat.
We need to make sure management systems based on these rules are
implemented everywhere. In combination with the banning of the lavish hidden- subsidies to commercially unviable fisheries.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
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While we do need politicians to strengthen international law, we can as
individuals help too. What we can do is make a difference. Over a decade
ago many people started buying dolphin-friendly tuna. Now the time has
come to buy ocean friendly tuna. Here are some of the actions you yourself
can undertake.
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Be informed
Read up a bit on the issues of overfishing, have a look at some articles, see if you
can find some information regarding your local situation. Keep in mind that while
this is a global problem every local situation is different.
Know what you eat
If you eat fish make sure you know what you eat, and pick the ones with the lowest
impact.
Spread the word
I know, it's all rather obvious, but this is simply how it works. Let your voice be heard!
Friends - Mention to your friends why you refrain from eating certain fish, tell them
about the problems we're faceing.
Elected officials - Write to your elected officials or political party and tell
them you are concerned about overfishing and destructive fishing
methods. Ask them what they think of the fisheries problem and what they
are doing to manage our oceans in a sustainable manner.
Media - Your local newspaper almost certainly has a section dedicated for
letters by readers or articles. If you are motivated it writing a letter to the
editor is a good way of getting a wide audience.
PICTURES OF OVERFISHING