Elossapitojärjestelmän

Elossapitojärjestelmän, often translated as "ecosystem services," refers to the benefits that humans derive from the natural environment and from the sustainable management of ecosystems. These services are crucial for human well-being and are broadly categorized into four main types: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

Provisioning services are the direct products obtained from ecosystems, such as food, fresh water, timber, fiber, and genetic resources. These are tangible outputs that are essential for human survival and economic activity. Regulating services are the benefits derived from the regulation of ecosystem processes, including climate regulation, flood control, water purification, and pollination. These services help to maintain a stable and healthy environment.

Cultural services encompass the non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems, such as spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreation, and aesthetic experiences. These services contribute to the cultural identity and quality of life for communities. Supporting services are those that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services. They include fundamental processes like nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production. Without these underlying processes, the other services could not exist.

The concept of elossapitojärjestelmän highlights the interconnectedness between human societies and natural environments, emphasizing the economic and social value of healthy ecosystems. Understanding and valuing these services is vital for sustainable development, conservation efforts, and policy-making aimed at ensuring the long-term availability of natural resources and a healthy planet.