The Role of Ecosystem Services in Community Well-Being

Abstract

Natural ecosystems provide services to humans that make life possible. Life, as well as the economy, is dependent upon these ecosystem goods and services (EGS). These services also contribute to a "good" or "quality life" by influencing the well-being of individuals and communities. Understanding the relationships among EGS that contribute to and shape well-being is an important task for researchers, decision makers and policy makers. In the past, these relationships were almost completely dependent upon income and consumption of goods. Today, the relationships are based on a more holistic perception including environmental and social attributes. The importance of ecosystem services to community well-being and their interactions are described through examples of communities' perceptions of the importance of various attributes of well-being and the role of ecosystem services in defining public health.

Effects of environmental corporate social responsibility on environmental well‐being perception and the mediation role of community resilience

“…Life, as well as the economy, is dependent on the goods and services of the ecosystem. The services provided by the ecosystem also contribute to a 'good' or 'quality' life by influencing the well-being of individuals and communities (Summers, Smith, Fulford, & de Jesus Crespo, 2018). Rama et al (2009) have stated that CSR has a direct and indirect impact on CR and organisational capacity.…”

Pengetahuan terhadap Perkhidmatan Ekosistem dan Sumbangannya kepada Kehidupan Komuniti di Kuala Sepetang, Perak

“…Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa pengetahuan komuniti mengenai perkhidmatan budaya juga adalah baik dan nilai purata RII secara keseluruhan bagi kategori ini adalah 0.78 (Rajah 2). Pengetahuan penduduk terhadap perkhidmatan ekosistem adalah tinggi kerana, perkhidmatan ekosistem telah menyediakan dan membantu penduduk secara tidak langsung seperti membersihkan udara supaya dapat bernafas dengan baik, dapat menggunakan sumber air sebagai minuman, membekalkan bekalan makanan yang sering digunakan dalam kehidupan harian (Summers et al, 2018). Kesan daripada manfaat ini, membawa kepada pengetahuan penduduk terhadap perkhidmatan ekosistem.…”

“…Menurut Jenkins dan Schaap (2018); Kalaba (2013) mengatakan bahawa ekosistem hutan menyediakan pelbagai manfaat yang boleh dinikmati oleh masyarakat seperti serangga dan haiwan yang boleh dimakan, buah-buahan asli, sayur-sayuran liar dan madu yang banyak membantu penduduk dalam kehidupan harian. Hal ini dapat dibuktikan dengan kajian Summers et al (2018) mendapati penduduk luar bandar di Amerika Latin, Afrika dan Asia memperolehi sebanyak 20 peratus dan 28 peratus daripada ekosistem hutan untuk menambahkan struktur ekonomi keluarga.…”

Challenges in Environmental Goods and Services Sector in Romania

“…Current global trends in the state of environmental factors have led to greater concerns about reducing risks due to imbalances between humans and nature, as anthropogenic activities have led to environmental pressures. Human life, as well as the economy, depends on ecosystem of environmental goods and services (EGS) that influence the well-being of individuals and communities (Summers et al, 2018).…”