Ecosystem services

The ecosystem services represent the set of benefits that natural ecosystems offer to humanity. According to the definition proposed by Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA, 2005), ecosystem services are the “multiple benefits provided by ecosystems to the human race.” These services are essential for human survival and well-being, as they directly and indirectly influence the quality of life and the functioning of global economies.

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The 3 categories of ecosystem services

The ecosystem services can be divided into 3 main categories, supported by basic services essential for life:

1. Adjustment services: include the regulation of atmospheric gases, climate, water, and the prevention of erosion and hydrogeological instability. Other examples include regulating pollination, essential for agricultural production, and providing habitat for biodiversity. For example, forests contribute significantly to climate regulation by absorbing CO₂, and to the protection of the soil through the prevention of erosion.
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2. Procurement services: include all the material resources that ecosystems provide, such as food, wood, fresh water, and biological variability. Forests, in particular, offer a wide range of products, from wood used in construction and crafts, to fruits, mushrooms and truffles, which represent fundamental resources for many local communities.
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3. Cultural services: include the non-material benefits derived from ecosystems, such as aesthetic, recreational, educational, spiritual, artistic and identity values. Woods and forests, for example, provide spaces for recreational and tourist activities, contribute to the spiritual and cultural well-being of communities and are a source of inspiration for art and literature.

The ecosystem services are of vital importance, since they support human life in terms of health, access to primary resources and livelihood. For example, forests and forests play a crucial role in absorbing pollutants such as atmospheric particulate matter (PM), helping to improve air quality and mitigates The effects of climate change. In addition, regulatory ecosystem services, such as water and air purification, protect against environmental damage and promote ecosystem resilience in the face of global challenges.

The concept of Payment for Ecosystem and Environmental Services (PSEA or PES - Payment for Ecosystem Services) has emerged as a remuneration mechanism for public and private entities that maintain or improve natural ecosystems. In Italy, for example, forests cover the 36.4% of the national territory, offering a significant opportunity for the conservation and improvement of ecosystem services, with significant environmental and economic benefits.