What is are ecosystem services?

Ecosystem services are ‘services’ provided to humans and society by the environment. Assessing ecosystem services is a method of helping to understand how people use and manage natural resources. Ecosystem services aren’t always obvious, but direct services include production of food and drinking water, whereas indirect services include improving air quality and providing energy. They are categorised under four different sectors:

Supporting Services: Services which support the function of others such as soil type, nutrient cycling and water cycling

Regulating Services: Services which regulate processes such as air quality, water quality, pollination, carbon storage and climate

Provisioning Services: Services which provide for users such as food, fibre, fuel and water

Cultural Services: Non-material services such as spiritual richness, recreation and aesthetic

When do I need to get in touch?

An ecosystem approach to managing a site is a useful tool to achieve the most sustainable use of services and if this is something that would interest you, you can simply get in touch with us and we can talk through options, determine your requirements and provide you with a competitive quote.

How can EcoÉireann help me?

We can advise you on the best practice management strategies for your site, adapted to your site requirements or proposed development. Our services include:

• Creating management options for the long term
• Creating management options for the benefits of both the client and the environment
• Clearly identifying where trade-off should be incorporated
• Identifying environmental limits to development