Environmental Science: Ecosystem Services | Discussion

Describe why food, water, medicine, and clean air meet the components of well being which are safety,quality of life, health, and good social relations. Then list a species in an ecosystem that uses the ecosystem services food, water, medicine, and clean air.

Food, water, medicine and clean air meet the components of well being which are safety,quality of life, health, and good social relations for a number of reasons. First of all, human being depends on the fundamental elements, such as water, food and shelter – the key elements of human survival. Access to food and water guarantees good health because good nutrition presented in the form of healthy diets contributes to good health. Secondly, the functions performed by ecosystem services contribute to improving the quality of life. According to researchers, “ecosystem services refer to the tangible benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including human use of products from forests, wetlands and oceans” (Forslund et al. 10). Hence, the provision of clean water and food allow human being to maintain good health and establish good social relations. Thirdly, the quality of life involves the experience of good health by human being, namely having the feeling of energy, good social relationships, sense of purpose and control over one’s life, as well as the sense of connectedness to society (Talbot & Verrinder 42).  Thus, food, water, medicine and clean air helps to improve well being through the improved quality of life (Talbot & Verrinder 42).

All in all, human being is dependent on the work of various ecosystem services. The benefits derived from the ecosystem services are divided into four categories:  supporting services (nutrient cycling, soil formation) , provisioning services (food, water, materials), regulating services (climate regulation , food regulation, disease control) and cultural services (recreational, spiritual, educational). For example, clean water and food are provisioning services which are delivered from the oceans, rivers, lakes and seas (fish and fish products) and forests (plants, mushrooms, and berries). Building materials provided by ecosystem services play an important role in improving the quality of life. In general, the services provided by ecosystems have a significant economic value (Forslund et al. 5).

Actually, a species in an ecosystem that uses the ecosystem services food, water, medicine, and clean air is a cow. Everyone knows that cows need food, fresh water, clean air to produce milk. Cattle are not subject to multiple diseases, provided they have plenty of high quality food to eat, good water to drink. Besides, cows should be kept clean. Clean air is essential to cows as well. It is clear that the quality of air affects the quality of milk produced by cows. Cattle need ecologically clean environment, including the areas like pastures combined with trees, shrubs, plants and different crops. As cattle need a constant source of fresh, clean air to ensure the achievement of their diary production potential, it is recommended to use ventilation in stalls. It is crucial to cows having enough grass and plants to support nutrition. Fresh water is a need for cows because it provides transportation of nutrients and wastes, controls temperature and ensures lubrication of joints. Water imbalance may cause serious diseases or even death of cattle. Due to the adequate supply of quality water for cows, it is possible to increase milk products and resistance to various diseases; therefore, farmers provide cattle with free access to fresh, clean water at all time.  Besides, cows need medicine to avoid the effects of multiple diseases. Plants are powerful medicines for cows  that like human beings get the same diseases and need the same plants to cure. Hence, plants are used both for nutrition and for treatment. At the same time, cattle can serve an important role in the ecosystem, being raised as livestock for meat production, as well as dairy animals for milk production and production of various  dairy products.

Works Cited

Forslund, A., et al. Securing Water for Ecosystems and Human Well-being: The Importance of Environmental Flows. Swedish Water House Report 24. SIWI, 2009.

Talbot, L. & Verrinder, G, Promoting Health: The Primary Health Care Approach. Elsevier Australia, 2009.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

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"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

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freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
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[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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