Uploaded on 2016-04-01 by Madalina_Iordan

**PROVISIONING SERVICES:** When it comes to analyzing ecosystem services for Shanghai we should start by stating that Shanghai is located on the Yangtze River Delta, resting on tidal flats, surrounded by natural and constructed wetlands. The city itself is surrounded by rivers and lakes, and has direct access to China Eastern Sea. Therefore Yangze alongside other fresh water sources and the sea provide the local food, either from direct fishing, or through helping crops, helping with irrigation and offering a rich soil. When it comes to water, and clean water Shanghai struggled for many decades. It is known about the air pollution especially in Beijing and also Shanghai, yet I don't know how much is known about the poor quality of water that supplies/d Shanghai residents. Thus, as 2010, most of Shanghai tap water comes from a reservoir, located on the Yangze River, and replaces the water previously sourced from HuangPu. For further information: http://www.healthandsafetyinshanghai.com/shanghai-water.html ![HuangPu, an affluent of Yangze][1] **REGULATING SERVICES** "Regulating Services are the services that ecosystems provide by acting as regulators eg. regulating the quality of air and soil or by providing flood and disease control." Shanghai even if a highly populated city (the biggest in PRC ), is fairly green. Besides the elevated highways all the normal roads and boulevards are abundant in plane trees, providing shade in the summer and helping with the air pollution so problematic in Shanghai. Also as I've stated before is surrounded by wetlands, which helps in waste-water treatment, Yangze delta being the biggest buffering zone, before the Eastern China Sea. **Habitat or supporting services** "Since the ninth century, the Yangtze Delta has been the most populous area in China, East Asia, and one of the most densely populated areas of the world. During the mid to late period of the Tang dynasty (618-907), the region emerged as an economic centre, and the Yangtze River Delta became the most important agricultural, handicraft industrial and economic centre for the late Tang dynasty." - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yangtze_River_Delta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yangtze Yangtze River and its delta are rich in wildlife. "As of 2011, 416 fish species are known from the Yangtze basin, including 362 that strictly are freshwater species. The remaining are also known from salt or brackish waters, such as the river's estuary or the East China Sea. This makes it one of the most species rich rivers in Asia and by far the most species rich in China (in comparison, the Pearl River has almost 300 fish species and the Yellow River 150).[85] 178 fish species are endemic to the Yangtze River Basin.[85]" - Source: Wikipedia![Shanghai and Yangze Delta by GoogleMaps][2] **CULTURAL SERVICES** Recreation and mental and physical health - if there is any striking image for any tourist just passing thourgh Shanghai is the image of senior citizen doing all sorts of activities from early morning to evening: from the classical "tai chi", to square dancing or fan/sword dancing, to kung fu, walking dogs, walking grandchildren, the parks and gardens of Shanghai are bustling with "ren". ![Senior citizen practicing Tai Chi][3] ![Senior citizens exercising early in the morning, in Gucheng Park][4] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14594885267129235.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1459491678659743.png [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14594925646121388.png [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1459490453750887.png