Economic value of ecosystem services

Abstract

Ecosystem services are fundamental life-supporting services, which are essential for existence of life on this earth. Even though these services are complex and interdependent on each other, it is always considered as Free Services. Human beings are considered these services as “take it for granted, seemingly infinite and free” - like air purification, water cleaning, maintaining quantity of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Sulphur, Water Cycle, balancing ambient temperature and providing fertility to soil for producing food. However, humans are less aware of the other ecosystems services provided by nature: viz pollination, dispersal of seeds, climate stabilization, flood protection, erosion prevention, decomposition, detoxification, maintenance of biodiversity, control of agricultural pests, and carbon sequestration etc.