Ecosystem services in Canterbury/Waitaha
Ecosystem services are the range of direct and indirect benefits provided by nature, that enhance people's wellbeing. The healthier the ecosystem, the more services it can offer such as recreation, protection from natural hazards, and pollination of crops.
The ecosystem services that are delivered across Waitaha fall under the following sub-services:
- Provisioning services
- Regulating services
- Supporting services
- Cultural services
Provisioning services
Provisioning services are any benefits to humankind that can be obtained from nature such as food, drinking water and timber.
Waitaha has many ecosystems that support fish and game and harvestable species. These provide commercial benefits, uphold customary use obligations and are also important for recreation and tourism.
Other habitats in Waitaha are important for bio-protection purposes, such as the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri-o-te-Moana - which are host to many endangered and iconic birds, invertebrates, and plants.
In Waitaha, freshwater enables irrigation and hydroelectricity generation, which are key drivers for much of our economy.
Regulating services
Regulating services are the processes in which ecosystems act as regulators - such as decomposition, pollination and water and soil purification.
Ecosystems capture carbon and the way they are managed alters how greenhouse gases are emitted or captured.
Ecosystem processes can also regulate the supply of water and can mitigate flooding, reduce erosion, and reduce silt build up in harbours and estuaries.
Pollination by bees and birds/local fauna provides important services for horticulture and pastoral farming, which are critical to the economy of Waitaha.
Supporting services
Supporting services are the underlying natural functions that species within ecosystems undertake to maintain and regulate the wider environment they are part of.
They include photosynthesis, natural habitat resistance to weeds, oxygen production, gene conservation and nutrient recycling. High-biodiversity ecosystems and habitats, such as wetlands, often provide nutrient recycling services.
Cultural services
Cultural services are non-quantifiable benefits that all humans gain from the ecosystem, many of which aid in maintaining wellbeing.
Across Waitaha, there are many ecosystems that attract tourists and residents alike - such as tramping and mountain biking tracks, camping spots and bird watching sites.
In turn, they support improved health and wellbeing and can provide major economic benefits.