Assignment:
Part 1: Choose one ecosystem in your area. For example, you could choose a forest, a wetland, or a lake. Complete the table below for your chosen ecosystem.
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Provisioning Services
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How does your selected ecosystem provide this service? If it does not, enter N/A
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Food:
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Raw Materials
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Fresh Water
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Medicinal Resources
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Regulating Services
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How does your selected ecosystem provide this service? If it does not, enter N/A
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Local Climate and Air Quality:
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Carbon Sequestration and Storage:
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Moderation of Extreme Events:
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Waste-Water Treatment:
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Erosion Prevention and Soil Fertility:
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Pollination:
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Biological Control:
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Habitat or Supporting Services
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How does your selected ecosystem provide this service? If it does not, enter N/A
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Habitats for Species:
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Maintenance of Genetic Diversity:
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Cultural Services
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How does your selected ecosystem provide this service? If it does not, enter N/A
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Recreation and Mental and Physical Health:
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Tourism:
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Aesthetic Appreciation and Inspiration for Culture, Art, and Design:
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Spiritual Experience and a Sense of Place:
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Part 2: After thinking about the estimated value of your ecosystem based on the services you listed in the table above, write a one-page response to the questions below.
Imagine there is a proposed development project that would degrade the ecosystem you described.
• How would David Holtzman suggest that the value of the ecosystem be assessed to determine its replacement value?
• How would Marino Gatto and Guilio DeLeo suggest the ecosystem's value be assessed?
• Lastly, do you think that a value could be placed on this ecosystem such that the developer could pay to make up for the loss of ecosystem services with technological solutions?
• Please be sure to address the positives and negatives of pricing the ecosystem you selected.