Uploaded on 2015-11-14 by MarcusCap

Being centered around Tokyo Bay, the Tokyo Metropolitan Area relies heavily on the Pacific Ocean as a source of food supply, especially considering that the Japanese diet is rich in fish. Even though the catchment area of fishing grounds extends well beyond the immediate vicinity to Tokyo Bay, Tokyo’s fish markets are the main hub where the logistics of fish consumption takes place. ![Sumida River close to Tokyo Bay][1] **Regulating services** Parks, linear parks and green spaces not only contribute to regulating the microclimate and cleaning the air, but are also a major feature of Tokyo’s resilience against possible earthquakes and fires. Such open spaces are, in fact, a natural barrier against the spreading of possible fires and represent safe gathering spots in case of hazardous conditions. ![Imperial Palace East Garden][2] **Habitat or supporting services** The Tama River, south-west of Tokyo’s center, is being granted a high naturalistic value in respect to the ecosystems and biodiversity it contains. The city is, in fact, one of the largest urban conurbations in the world, and hosts a limited number of places with a distinctive natural character. As such the Tama River is being protected by further urbanization, in order to provide habitat for local flora and fauna. ![Tama River, source: flickr user Dominiek ter Heide, CC][3] **Cultural services** Temples and shrines are usually surrounded by a thick small forest, as a way to physically and spiritually detach them from the rest of the city. Such green oases perform the double role of ecological buffers and cultural/spiritual hotspots. ![Yaho Tenmangu shrine in Kunitachi, Tokyo][4] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14474694644151775.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14474694844385656.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14474695384976504.jpg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14474696376493105.jpg