Uploaded on 2015-11-22 by IndikaSam

What ecosystem services do you have in and around your living area? Give at least one example for each of the four types of ecosystem services.** **Provisioning:** The wetland system that is found within the city of Colombo provides food, medicine, timber, income and fodder for cattle in terms of provisioning services. Half of Colombo’s population live below the poverty line, and are often living on the fringes of the wetlands. These wetlands provide them with food, timber and fodder for cattle. It also provides them with an income as the lotus found in some of the areas such as Thalangama, Colombo are sold at temples for pilgrims to offer as part of their religious ceremonies. Food such as various types of roots, and plants are used to supplement people’s diet and income. The timber found in the wetlands are used for cooking purposes and other needs. Food is also grown close to the wetlands, as water is available abundantly. ![Provisioning Services - Thalangama Tank, Colombo, Sri Lanka][1] Colombo is a coastal city therefore, coastal fishing provides provisioning service for the city and its surroundings. **Regulating:** I live in a suburb of Colombo City, called Rajagiriya, and my house overlooks a wetland area. The wetland provides the services of regulating the temperature where I live. It also contributes towards the management of floods where I live and in terms of flood control for the entire city of Colombo. Although 40% of the wetlands found in Colombo have disappeared due to reclamation of land for the expansion of the city, the remaining wetlands provides an important function of regulating flood waters within the city. Although its benefits to regulate the temperature of the city are not primarily focused on, studies have shown that the wetlands provide a significant amount towards the cooling of the city. For my house in particular, being close to the wetland the temperatures are much cooler. As it is a coastal city, the sea provides the service of cooling city and regulating the effects of the Urban Heat Island Effect. There are large trees planted along roads, that contribute towards regulating air quality and cooling the city. ![Regulating - Flood Management - Rajagiriya, Colombo, Sri Lanka ][2] ****Habitat:**** The habitat surrounding where I live is rich in flora and fauna species. It is a wetland habitat that my home overlooks and includes close to 30 different bird species, porcupine, monitor lizards, and fishing cat. In terms of Colombo city, the wetlands provide a rich habitat for many birds, reptiles and mammals. The fishing cat and the rusty spotted cat are the most elusive and have adapted to the urban surroundings. For me in particular, the location of our home was important, and locating it close to a wetland was related directly to the quality of life we expected from living in the city. The wetland and its habitat has contributed towards the liveability of the area. ![Habitat for Birds - Beddegana, Colombo , Sri Lanka][3] **Cultural Services:** The city provides many areas for recreational purposes. There is a network of canals , parks and playgrounds with walk ways built specifically for walking and jogging, and beaches in Colombo city. A wetland park is being constructed in the suburb of Rajagiriya, where I live, which will provide the opportunity for recreational services but also educational services in terms of providing knowledge on the importance of wetlands for the city. Colombo is a unique city in the sense it has wetlands within its boundaries which provide many important ecosystem services. It also provides opportunities for tourism related activities, especially in terms of wetland parks, canal tours and for recreational purposes. The wetland areas and parks that have been developed around the wetlands provide opportunities for bird watching. The wetlands provide a sense of place that can be identifiable with Colombo. Being a coastal city its beaches provide recreational, socializing and tourism services. ![enter image description here][4] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14481728149322399.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14481728764111522.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14481729267600585.jpg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/144817296251416.jpg