Mexiconservacion's Blog

Humans depend directly from their surrounding ecosystems for their social and economic wellbeing. A clear example are the Mayan settlements of the Yucatan, which are found primarily near cenotes which supplied them with fresh water, even during droughts. Currently most of these ecosystem services have been degraded or are diminished, and the problem resides in the fact that technology cannot do natures job, and/or is too expensive.

Ecosystems provide us with goods (such as wood to build shelter, or food) and services (recreation and spiritual renewal). Depending on their character, ecosystem services can be classified as support (nutrient recycling, soil formation), supply (food, water), regulation (of climate or disease), and cultural (aesthetic value and tourism). Continued