These values help us better understand the importance of ecosystems. Some people believe that ecosystems have an intrinsic value which means that they are valuable independent of any benefit to humans (the environment is still important even if we don't gain anything from it). These individuals think this because of a moral obligation, religious beliefs, or philosophical convictions. They stress the importance that intrinsic value should drive environmental policy. An ecosystem can also have instrumental value. This means that an ecosystem's worth as an instrument or a tool can be used to accomplish a goal. These values may include the value of items like crops, lumber, and pharmaceutical drugs. We often refer to these values as ecosystem services.
Instrumental and Intrinsic Values
To see more info on this topic check pages 637 - 640
Factors that Impact INtrinsic value
The main factor that affects intrinsic value is biodiversity and species' survival. Species are necessary in keeping an ecosystem running. So for a healthy ecosystem and a high intrinsic value, species need to be protected and sustained.
Ecosystem Services
We observe these five categories when calculating the instrumental value of ecosystem services
Provisions
Provisions are goods produced by ecosystems that can be used directly by humans. Examples of provisions include lumber, food crops, medical plants, natural rubber, and furs. Surprisingly, about 70 percent of all prescription drugs come from natural resources. Due to the high demand of these beneficial items, it encourages people to preserve as much biodiversity as possible.
Regulating Services
Natural ecosystems help to regulate environmental conditions and patterns. For example, they help reduce the amount of carbon in the atmoshphere. Ecosystems also regulate nutrient and hydrologic cyclces.
Ecosystems offer natural support systems. For example they offer habitats for animals that pollinate crops and also animals that prey on the agricultrual pests. This natural system produces approximately $3.1 billion in food production. Another benefit of natural ecosystems includes their ability to filter out harmful pathogens and chemicals from water. Without this, humans would have to create more expensive water treatment facilities.
Support Systems
Resilience
Resilience is important for an ecosystem to posess since humans rely heavily on natural ecosystems. Resilence depends primarly on species diversity. For example, take two plant species that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria. If one species is more succeptible to disturbance and dies off, then the other species can still fix nitrogen.
Ecosystems offer cultural and aesthic perks. These environments offer beautiful scenery which people are willing to pay to see. They also intrigue many scientists to study. Most times these studies are done without the intention of gaining money. So not only do ecosystems offer an aesthic value, but also offer an intellectual gain.