Uploaded on 2016-04-26 by AgustinaFaifer

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.*** **a- Provisioning services:** The geography and the resources of the Rio de la Plata allowed the economic growth and development of Buenos Aires Metropolis. The river, one of the largest estuaries in South America, and its water courses provide the city and the surrounding areas with fresh water. ![][1] Moreover the water supply for the province of Buenos Aires comes, in lesser proportion, from Puelche Aquifer groundwater. ![][2] **b- Regulating services:** Buenos Aires, a densely urbanized city, has only 6.2 square meters of green spaces per capita. This make urban green spaces highly valuable as regulating services. E.g.: Tres de Febrero Park, also known as Bosques de Palermo is a 400 hectares urban park located in the neighborhood of Palermo. This park is the prime green lung within the city and the trees species of the forest ,like eucalyptus, helps regulating air quality. ![][3] **c- Habitat or Supporting services:** Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, is a 865-acre (3.50 km2) tract of low land of the Río de la Plata riverbank located on the east side of the city of Buenos Aires. The Reserve is an artificial island made by reclaiming land from the river. The land-filling started in 1978; embankments were built using debris from demolitions carried out to construct urban motorways. Since then, different plant communities developed spontaneously from seeds present in the silt, windborne or dispersed by the animals. By providing refuge and food, plants helped animal populations to settle in. The are many ecosystems, like wetlands, forest of alder tree and typha, ponds and grasslands. Besides, as the biological diversity increased, a variety of native animal species appeared, e.g.: birds like chorlos, chajas and teros. The reserve works for the conservation and preservation of native species of birds, mammals, insects and plants. ![][4] ![][5] ![][6] ![][7] **d- Cultural services:** The city offers and amount of green spaces like parks and squares. This recreational areas are the meeting point for joggers, cyclists, students and also act as tourist attractions. E.g.: Centenario Park is a green area located in the centre of the city. ![][8] ![][9] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14616477469628101.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14616483222443712.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1461649163726595.jpg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14616484368628007.jpg [5]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1461648570872436.jpg [6]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14616487424554815.jpg [7]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14616487773556547.jpg [8]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14616494161912178.jpg [9]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1461650789679686.jpg The satellite images are from Google Maps.