How Much is an Ecosystem Worth?
Student Objectives:
Students will:
Explain the economic importance of ecosystems
Define and give examples of ecosystem services
Time: Article Discussion: 30-40 minutes
Materials:
Copies of article “Ecosystem Services: A Primer” by the Ecological Society of America
YouTube video at http://youtu.be/V7LgPPtDWKo
Adapted From: ActionBioScience.org Original lesson plan (click to access) John Ausema, Gonzaga College High School
Introduction to Ecosystem Services (video below) - http://youtu.be/V7LgPPtDWKo
Step 1) Have your students watch the following three minute YouTube video before starting the lesson.
Step 2) Provide each student with a copy of the article- “Ecosystems Services: A Primer”. Use the questions below for class discussion of the article. It is suggested teachers provide the content questions to general level students (grades 9–10) and have them work in pairs or groups; advanced students may be asked to summarize the article using their own observations. The content questions can then be used to prompt class discussion. Extension and Personal Viewpoint Questions are better discussed in small groups and may require teaching of ecosystem concepts beyond what is found in the article.
For Educator - Article Discussion
Article Content Questions
What is an ecosystem?
List three services provided by ecosystems.
Give some statistics on the value of services provided by ecosystems.
Name some threats to ecosystems.
Are ecosystems well understood by scientists? Explain.
Extension Questions
Select one ecosystem service and predict the likely effect if this service is lost.
How does a natural ecosystem control agricultural pests?
Why is climate stability important?
What makes humans different from the rest of the ecosystem?
How is it possible for pollination services to be so valuable? How would we replace this service if the pollinators were lost?
Construction companies are often required to create new wetlands or plant trees when they have destroyed natural habitats during a project. What is the reasoning behind this requirement?
Personal Viewpoint Questions
Whose responsibility should it be to preserve and protect ecosystem services? Who should pay for preservation?
Does it make a difference if we can replicate an ecosystem service artificially for the same or lesser cost?
“What if?” Scenarios
Suppose you are CEO of a company that relies on clean water to manufacture your products. Describe what you can do to ensure that clean water is available.
Suppose you are an elected official at the state or national level. What sort of action would you take to ensure that ecosystem services remain available?