Ecosystem Services are the benefits that accrue to human beings directly or indirectly.
As producers or consumers of final goods (food, fodder, fiber, water, and livestock products), these are commonly called Provisioning Services.
These may also include hydrological processes that maintain the ecological and life support systems (Regulating Services).
The processes, plant as well as animal biodiversity that support other services may be clubbed as Supporting Services.
The natural resources also provide opportunities for cognitive development; such services of ecosystem are termed as Cultural Services.
While the ecosystems, we commonly interact with in our daily life, provide for some or all of these services, the ecosystems themselves use some of these services for their sustenance- and this calls for our love and nurture. In fact, the interventions undertaken to support the nature and enhance production affects the two-way flow of these ecosystem services. This warrants a balanced approach considering the threshold of the ecological system.
While we are blessed to enjoy the benefits from these services by just supporting the nature, we must pledge to give back more to ensure these benefits for generations to come. To begin with, appreciating the nature around our daily life activities instills a discipline to co-exist with it, enjoying its full divinity when it blossoms with our care. It just costs our mindset and the returns are mindboggling.
Are we ready to take the pledge?