Ecosystems Are an Essential Natural Resource
Ecosystems are an essential natural resource and include agro-ecosystems, forest ecosystems, grassland ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems.
Natural Ecosystems
Examples of natural ecosystems are tropical rainforest, temperate forest, desert, grasslands, taiga, tundra, still-water, river and stream, chaparral and ocean.
About Ecosystem Services
First, ecosystem services can be grouped into four categories:
- Provisioning, or production of food, water, and fiber
- Regulating, or controlling climate, pest and disease
- Supporting, such as habitats, nutrient cycling, microbial activity, and oxygen production
- Cultural, such as spiritual and recreational benefits.
Second, examples of ecosystem services include:
- Providing habitats for a wide range of biodiversity, genetic resources, and genetic diversity.
- Providing habitats for pollinators and other beneficial insects
- Maintaining water supplies and water purification services
- Supplying materials for soil development
- Supporting soil organisms and microbial networks
- Recycling organic waste materials
- Storing and recycling nutrients in soil reservoirs
- Sequestering and storing carbon in soils.
Therefore, ecosystem services are essential for crop production and food security.
Ecozones
In Canada, 15 distinct terrestrial ecozones and 5 distinct marine ecozones have been classified. Two of the terrestrial ecozones are the Mixedwood Plains ecozone and the Boreal Shield.
First is the Mixedwood Plains ecozone. It is the southerly brownish coloured area in the diagram. Noteworthy, the underlying bedrock is Paleozoic limestone.
And this more southerly ecozone is where the most of agriculture and crop production is being carried out.
Second is the Boreal Forest ecozone. It forms a large continuous belt across Canada from the east coast to the Rockies.
And this more northerly Boreal Shield ecozone is where the Canadian Shield Boreal and the Boreal Forest intersect. The Boreal Shield ecozone is the largest of Canada’s ecozones, extending across 6 provinces.
In contrast, the underlying bedrock of the Canadian Shield is Precambrian granite. It is renown for its large bedrock outcrops.
Ecoregions
First, ecoregions are based on major climatic areas where common flora, fauna, trees, vegetation, insects – and specific crops – are typically found.
Second, the habitats for the flora, fauna and crops that prefer milder climates are typically found in the warmer southerly areas.
And as an example, the major ecoregions where agriculture is carried out in Southern Ontario are the Lake Erie Lowland, Lake Simcoe-Manitoulin, and St. Laurent Lowland.
For more information, please refer to Education.
Wetlands
A wetland is a distinct ecosystem, consisting of marshes, swamps, saturated land, and habitats for wildlife, flora, and fauna.
There are many benefits of wetlands: enhancing wildlife habitat; providing food, water, and habitat for fish, wildlife, and endangered species; filtering nutrients, sediments, and cleaning polluted water; assisting in flood prevention; controlling shoreline erosion; sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; providing natural products; and providing opportunities for recreation, education, and research.
Monitoring Ecosystems
Satellites can help monitor changes in ecosystem characteristics such as vegetation cover.
- Last Modified: May 17, 2024