ANGCAYA, HEILENE ETHEL

Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human well-being.
They support directly or indirectly our survival and quality of life. Ecosystem services are very
essential to human well-being. As a society, we depend on healthy ecosystems to do many
things; to purify the air so we can breathe properly, sequester carbon for climate regulation,
cycle nutrients so we have access to clean drinking water without costly infrastructure, and
pollinate our crops so we don’t go hungry. As the world’s population continues to grow,
so too does our dependence on healthy ecosystems to provide the necessities essential to
our survival. We, humans are the keepers of our ecosystem.

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all
have an important role to play. For example, A larger number of plant species means a
greater variety of crops. Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life
forms. Many key ecosystem services provided by biodiversity, such as nutrient cycling,
carbon sequestration, pest regulation and pollination, sustain agricultural productivity.
Promoting the healthy functioning of ecosystems ensures the resilience of agriculture as it
intensifies to meet growing demands for food production. Addressing ecosystem services
is essential for sustainable development.