Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems. These services can be categorized into four main types:
- Provisioning Services: These are the products obtained from ecosystems, such as food, water, timber, and fiber.
- Regulating Services: These are the benefits that ecosystems provide by regulating natural processes, such as climate regulation, flood control, disease regulation, and water purification.
- Supporting Services: These are the services necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services, such as soil formation, nutrient cycling, and photosynthesis.
- Cultural Services: These are the non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems, such as spiritual and recreational benefits, cultural heritage, and aesthetic values.
Ecosystem services are essential for human well-being and economic development. They provide the foundation for agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and tourism industries, among others. However, human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction are threatening the capacity of ecosystems to provide these services. Recognizing the value of ecosystem services is crucial for sustainable development and conservation efforts.
Recently in Kerala, there has been a shift towards preparing all Working Plans based on the Ecosystem Approach to Forest Management. This approach is also emphasized in the National Working Plan Code 2023.