Uploaded on 2017-04-05 by Sam Hanna

Ecosystem services in your living area 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 Food: Ecosystems provide the conditions for growing food. Food comes principally from managed agro-ecosystems across the Nile delta in the north, but marine and freshwater systems from upper Egypt also provide valuable food resources for human consumption. The Nasser lake created by the High-Dam project back in the 1960's is a major contributing factor to this system. Nile Delta Raw materials: The Eastern Desert, Upper Egypt, Nile-valley, Nile-delta and the Red Sea ecosystems provide a great diversity of materials for construction and fuel including wood, biofuels and plant oils that are directly derived from wild and cultivated plant species. Wadi Abu Qureya Fresh water: Ecosystems play a vital role in the global hydrological cycle, as they regulate the flow and purification of water. Dams, irrigation habits and plantations influence the quantity of water available locally to the Nile-delta. High Dam Medicinal resources: Ecosystems and biodiversity provide many plants used as traditional medicines as well as providing the raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. All ecosystems are a potential source of medicinal resources. b. Regulating services Local climate and air quality: Trees provide shade whilst the arid climate influences rainfall and water availability both locally and regionally. Egypt depends mainly on the Nile as its source for fresh water and to a certain limit for energy. Palm trees and other Nile bank plants also play an important role in regulating air quality by removing pollutants from the water and the atmosphere. Trees Carbon sequestration and storage: Ecosystems regulate the global climate by storing and sequestering greenhouse gases. As trees and plants grow, they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and effectively lock it away in their tissues. Biodiversity also plays an important role by improving the capacity of ecosystems to adapt to the effects of climate change. Upper Egypt Moderation of extreme events: Extreme weather events or natural hazards include floods, storms, tsunamis, avalanches and landslides. Ecosystems and living organisms create buffers against natural disasters, thereby preventing possible damage. For example, wetlands can soak up flood water whilst trees can stabilize slopes. The Red Sea Coral Reefs help protect coastlines from storm damage. Red Sea Coral Reef Waste-water treatment: Ecosystems such as wetlands filter both human and animal waste and act as a natural buffer to the surrounding environment. Through the biological activity of microorganisms in the soil, most waste is broken down. Thereby pathogens (disease causing microbes) are eliminated, and the level of nutrients and pollution is reduced. Water Treatment c. Habitat or Supporting services Habitats for species: Habitats provide everything that an individual plant or animal needs to survive: food; water; and shelter. Each ecosystem provides different habitats that can be essential for a species’ life-cycle. Migratory species including birds, fish, mammals and insects all depend upon different ecosystems during their movements. Migratory Birds Maintenance of genetic diversity: Genetic diversity is the variety of genes between and within species populations. Genetic diversity distinguishes different breeds or races from each other thus providing the basis for locally well-adapted cultivars and a gene pool for further developing commercial crops and livestock. The Red Sea habitat have an exceptionally high number of species which makes it more genetically diverse than others and is known throughout the world for its rich diversity. d. Cultural services Green Spaces Recreation and mental and physical health: Walking and playing sports in green space is not only a good form of physical exercise but also lets people relax. The role that green space plays in maintaining mental and physical health is increasingly being recognized, despite difficulties of measurement. Pyramids Tourism: The desert, North Coast and Red Sea ecosystems and biodiversity play an important role for many kinds of tourism which in turn provides considerable economic benefits and is a vital source of income for Egypt's economy. Egypt is very well known for its rich Pharaonic history, as well as the cultural artifacts throughout its land, and eco-tourism can also educate people about the importance of biological diversity. Coptic Alphabet Aesthetic appreciation and inspiration for culture, art and design: Language, knowledge and the natural environment have been intimately related throughout Egypt's history. Biodiversity, ecosystems and natural landscapes have been the source of inspiration for much of our art, culture and increasingly for science. Temple Spiritual experience and sense of place: In many parts of Egypt and along the Nile banks, we can find a rich Coptic influence that is sacred or have a deep religious meaning. Egypt's Nile, history and nature is a common element of all major religions and traditional knowledge, and associated customs are important for creating a sense of belonging. St Mark Lion Holy Family