Uploaded on 2015-12-15 by RebeccaCraig

1. Provisioning Services. ![Trees in Hyde Park][1] These trees would be a great source of wood - although I don't think you are allowed to cut them in the park! There is also the Round Pond in Hyde Park, which is separate from the Serpentine, another body of fresh water in the park. The Round Pond is technically part of Kensington Gardens, and is an ornamental (man-made) lake. ![The Round Pond][2] Sadly, neither of these are great examples of provisioning services within London, as it is very difficult to find such ecosystem examples in a city as large and developed as London. Richmond Park might have better examples, but as everything there is also protected as a park, the raw materials are not accessible to the public. 2. Regulating Services The picture above of the trees gives a good example of regulating services. Hyde Park (used here to also include Kensington Gardens) is huge - 253 hectares - although it is smaller than the equally well-known Central Park in New York City. It is very green, with large numbers of trees and bushes the whole way through. As such, the park, which is located very centrally in London, acts as the major 'lung' for the city. Along with the other parks in the city, it works to regulate the air, increasing its quality. These parks and green spaces are also important for carbon sequestration, maintenance of soil fertility, biological control and pollination, among other things. This planted area acts as a border between the busy road near Queensway and the calm and green park. ![Plant border][3] 3. Habitat or Supporting Services Hyde Park also supports a large number of animals and birds - foxes, squirrels, swans, geese, ducks, moorhens, crows, magpies, thrushes, seagulls, parakeets (a bright green tropical bird that has made its home in the park!), among many other species. The Round Pond is a particular area of biodiversity, with many large and small birds living and feeding on the water. The fact that people often go there to feed the birds means it is also popular with other birds such as crows and seagulls. Some birds, such as the geese, have migrated in to Hyde Park for the winter, underlining its significance as a habitat. ![Birds being fed at the Round Pond][4] 4. Cultural Services The parks in London are very important for recreation, especially as the city is so large and busy. Hyde Park is very popular with walkers, runners, cyclists, dog walkers and parents taking their children out. ![Cyclists using the city bikes][5] ![A jogger in the park][6] There are also multiple landscaped gardens in the park, including the Italian Gardens and those belonging to Kensington Palace. While these may not be religious, or linked to a naturist-based spirituality, they are very peaceful and relaxing places, and are popular with people who want some space and time to themselves, to walk, sit or think. However, there are more popular in the summer than in the winter! ![The Sunken Garden at Kensginton Palace][7] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14501818431367721.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14501821688057708.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14501828853427429.jpg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14501830529486885.jpg [5]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14501832397072345.jpg [6]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14501833327079877.jpg [7]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14501834391481631.jpg