scholarly journals The value of biodiversity

2008 ◽  
Vol 68 (4 suppl) ◽  
pp. 1115-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
CJR. Alho
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Commercial Fish ◽  
Climate Regulation ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right

In addition to its intrinsic value (nature working as it is; species are the product of a long history of continuing evolution by means of ecological processes, and so they have the right to continued existence), biodiversity also plays a fundamental role as ecosystem services in the maintenance of natural ecological processes. The economic or utilitarian values of biodiversity rely upon the dependence of man on biodiversity; products that nature can provide: wood, food, fibers to make paper, resins, chemical organic products, genes as well as knowledge for biotechnology, including medicine and cosmetic sub-products. It also encompasses ecosystem services, such as climate regulation, reproductive and feeding habitats for commercial fish, some organisms that can create soil fertility through complex cycles and interactions, such as earthworms, termites and bacteria, in addition to fungi responsible for cycling nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur and making them available to plant absorption. These services are the benefits that people indirectly receive from natural ecosystem functions (air quality maintenance, regional climate, water quality, nutrient cycling, reproductive habitats of commercial fish, etc.) with their related economic values.

scholarly journals A review of regulation ecosystem services and disservices from faunal populations and potential impacts of agriculturalisation on their provision, globally

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 1-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Gutierrez-Arellano ◽  
Mark Mulligan
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Structure Degradation ◽  
Animal Populations

Land use and cover change (LUCC) is the main cause of natural ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss and can cause a decrease in ecosystem service provision. Animal populations are providers of some key regulation services: pollination, pest and disease control and seed dispersal, the so-called faunal ecosystem services (FES). Here we aim to give an overview on the current and future status of regulation FES in response to change from original habitat to agricultural land globally. FES are much more tightly linked to wildlife populations and biodiversity than are most ecosystem services, whose determinants are largely climatic and related to vegetation structure. Degradation of ecosystems by land use change thus has much more potential to affect FES. In this scoping review, we summarise the main findings showing the importance of animal populations as FES providers and as a source of ecosystem disservices; underlying causes of agriculturalisation impacts on FES and the potential condition of FES under future LUCC in relation to the expected demand for FES globally. Overall, studies support a positive relationship between FES provision and animal species richness and abundance. Agriculturalisation has negative effects on FES providers due to landscape homogenisation, habitat fragmentation and loss, microclimatic changes and development of population imbalance, causing species and population losses of key fauna, reducing services whilst enhancing disservices. Since evidence suggests an increase in FES demand worldwide is required to support increased farming, it is imperative to improve the understanding of agriculturalisation on FES supply and distribution. Spatial conservation prioritisation must factor in faunal ecosystem functions as the most biodiversity-relevant of all ecosystem services and that which most closely links sites of service provision of conservation value with nearby sites of service use to provide ecosystem services of agricultural and economic value.

Trade-offs and Synergies of Ecosystem Services in Karst Area of China Driven by Grain-for-Green Program

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Net Primary Production ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Water Yield ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Grain For Green ◽  
Grain For Green Program ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Impact

<p>As an important means regulating the relationship between human and natural ecosystem, ecological restoration program plays a key role in restoring ecosystem functions. The Grain-for-Green Program (GFGP, One of the world’s most ambitious ecosystem conservation set-aside programs aims to transfer farmland on steep slopes to forestland or grassland to increase vegetation coverage) has been widely implemented from 1999 to 2015 and exerted significant influence on land use and ecosystem services (ESs). In this study, three ecological models (InVEST, RUSLE, and CASA) were used to accurately calculate the three key types of ESs, water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), and net primary production (NPP) in Karst area of southwestern China from 1982 to 2015. The impact of GFGP on ESs and trade-offs was analyzed. It provides practical guidance in carrying out ecological regulation in Karst area of China under global climate change. Results showed that ESs and trade-offs had changed dramatically driven by GFGP . In detail, temporally, SC and NPP exhibited an increasing trend, while WY exhibited a decreasing trend. Spatially, SC basically decreased from west to east; NPP basically increased from north to south; WY basically increased from west to east; NPP and SC, SC and WY developed in the direction of trade-offs driven by the GFGP, while NPP and WY developed in the direction of synergy. Therefore, future ecosystem management and restoration policy-making should consider trade-offs of ESs so as to achieve sustainable provision of ESs.</p>

Linking the effects of plant protection products on biodiversity and ecological processes to potential impairment of ecosystem functions and services—A multidisciplinary conceptual framework.

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Pesce ◽  
Annette Bérard ◽  
Marie-Agnès Coutellec ◽  
Alexandra Langlais-Hesse ◽  
Mickaël Hedde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Environmental Sciences ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Scientific Experts

There is growing interest in using the ecosystem services framework for environmental risk assessments of plant protection products (PPP). However, there is still a broad gap between most of the ecotoxicological endpoints used in PPP risk assessment and the evaluation of the risks and effects of PPP on ecosystem services. Here we propose a conceptual framework to link current and future knowledge on the ecotoxicological effects of PPP on biodiversity and ecological processes to their consequences on ecosystem functions and services. We first describe the main processes governing the relationships between biodiversity, ecological processes and ecosystem functions in response to effects of PPP. We define 12 main categories of ecosystem functions that could be directly linked with the ecological processes used as functional endpoints in investigations on the ecotoxicology of PPP. An exploration of perceptions on the possible links between these categories of ecosystem functions and groups of ecosystem services (by a panel scientific experts in various fields of environmental sciences) then finds that these direct and indirect linkages still need clarification. We illustrate how the proposed framework could be used on terrestrial microalgae and cyanobacteria to assess the potential effects of herbicides on ecosystem services. The framework proposed here uses a set of clearly-defined core categories of ecosystem functions and services, which should help identify which of them are effectively or potentially threatened by PPP. We argue that this framework could help harmonize and extend the scientific knowledge that informs decision-making and policy-making.

Ecosystem services of peatlands: Implications for restoration

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Kimmel ◽  
Ülo Mander
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment ◽  
Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽  
Climate Regulation ◽  
Peatland Restoration ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Science Information

The aim of this overview paper is to analyse the inclusion and use of the ecosystem services concept in scientific studies of degraded peatlands and peatland restoration. Publications indexed by the Institute of Science Information (ISI) Web of Science (WoS) from 1980 to October 2009 were analysed. Word combinations relevant to peatland ecosystem services in the title, keywords and abstract were used. We followed the division of ecosystem services into four categories: supporting, regulating, provisioning and cultural, as provided by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). The analysis indicated that the concept of ecosystem services is not referred to explicitly in ISI WoS studies on peatland restoration. The interpretation of the content identified using search phrases related to various beneficial functions of peatlands showed that they mainly include information on regulating and supporting ecosystem services critical to sustaining vital ecosystem functions that deliver benefits to people. There are only a few articles addressing provisioning and cultural ecosystem services. One of the key issues concerning the effect of peatland restoration in the provisioning of ecosystem services is the balance of greenhouse gases and their role in global climate regulation.

Systematic Review on Urban Ecosystem Services in South-East Asia: Asean Countries

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 256-266
Author(s):  
Nur Shazwanie Rosehan ◽  
◽  
Azlan Abas ◽  
Kadaruddin Aiyub ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Urban Ecosystem Services ◽  
Climate Regulation ◽  
Flood Regulation ◽  
Asean Countries ◽  
The Right

Urban ecosystem services refer to all the benefits of nature especially to the urban community and economy for maintaining human well-being. This concept links to the economic, community and environmental aspects and shows how nature conservation is important for human and economic principles. However, the view of urban ecosystem services assessment based on essential categories with current urban development is provided. So, this paper reviews the aim to analyze the types and assessing the categories of urban ecosystem services and the methodological used in ASEAN countries. Furthermore, understanding studies about urban ecosystem services are important in long-term studies for monitoring purpose. As a result, 8 out of 10 ASEAN countries excluding Laos and Brunei have studied urban ecosystem services. In this context, the result also shows the most studies specify the significance of the ecosystem services given by the urban as regulating (waste absorption, climate regulation, water purification, flood regulation, and disease control) and followed by cultural (tranquility, social relations, and recreation). Thus, exploring urban ecosystem interaction in current ASEAN countries may have added benefits in terms of improving the urban ecosystem services to streamline the urban area planning. Finally, we conclude that all the ASEAN countries should play an important role to make sure the countries maintain sustainable and more livable with the right policies and guidelines like can fit in Paris Agreement especially in Climate Strategies and plans.

Preserving the Patient’s Dignity and Autonomy in the Context of Advance Planning of the Medical Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 61-76
Author(s):  
Andreea-Iulia Someşan
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Living Will ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Patient Will ◽  
History Of ◽  
Advance Planning ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Right

"Advance planning aims at a time, considered specific for the life ending stages, when the patient will no longer be able to express his/her desire about the medical care performed on the own person. By the history of its introduction through the medical legislation, this document is closely related with the euthanasia concept or the right to put an end to the life that is no longer worth living. From a medical approach, this may suppose the withdrawal of the futile treatments. The patient has the possibility, by elaborating an advance directive, to mention his/her refusal for certain medical treatments and procedures. The purpose of its implementation in the clinical practice is to preserve the patient’s dignity and autonomy for the moment when he/she will no longer be able to express his/her will: this person can choose to end the suffering of an inhuman life. The patient will become, therefore, responsible for giving up to the futile medical care, limiting, in somehow, the actions of the medical staff. Thus, advance planning could be assimilated with the idea of medical non-compliance. The efforts of preserving the patient’s dignity will inevitably bring in our attention the concept of the human being’s value. Does an intrinsic value of the human being really exist or is it just built by the role played by the person in the social context? Is it fair to create moral pressure on someone to take a certain decision in that context? However, what if the advance directives were not at all associated with the idea of a Living will (Life testament – the Romanian name for this paper)? Even if the advance planning had the primary purpose to protect the healthcare professionals in their decision to withdraw the futile treatments, this document should be in favor of the patient and not against his/her deepest desires. Keywords: advance planning, dignity, autonomy, human being value, quality of life, life without dignity. "

scholarly journals Indications of enhanced soil ecosystem functions in polyculture reforested grassland

2019 ◽  
pp. 32-44
Author(s):  
Angelica Baldos ◽  
Roland Rallos
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Soil Ecosystem ◽  
Tree Plantation ◽  
Climate Regulation

A lot of work has been doneto evaluate the effects of biodiversity on ecological functions in polyculture plantings. But attention is rarely given to soil ecosystem functions such as carbon (C) sequestration and nitrogen (N) cycling even though they play a critical role in climate regulation through the sequestration and release of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In this study, stable isotopes of C and N were used to investigate if the aforementioned soil ecosystem functions are enhanced under polyculture reforestation by determining the sources of C stored in soil, its rate of incorporation, and the degree of soil N cycling. Twenty-five years after its establishment on an Imperata cylindrica grassland, the tree plantation has contributed 54% of the measured soil organic carbon (SOC) stock at an estimated rate of 2.41Mg C ha-1 yr-1. Larger mean soil 15N values and a more negative 15N enrichment factor (ε = -5.82‰) for the whole 50cm soil depth in tree plantation indicated a better N cycling compared to grassland vegetation. Results show the potential of polyculture reforestation as a sustainable approach to restoring degraded lands and enhancing the role of soil in climate regulation by improving the capacity of soil to store C and to supply N. In addition, information generated from studies like this allow the refinement of mechanisms used in payments for ecosystem services to add more value and provide higher incentives from the ecosystem services provided by polyculture reforestation.

Z-line degradation and phagocytosis of sarcomeric fragments in myonecrosis

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 790-791
Author(s):  
Melinda L. Estes ◽  
Samuel M. Chou
Keyword(s):  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Inflammatory Myopathy ◽  
Muscle Disease ◽  
White Female ◽  
Inflammatory Cell Infiltrate ◽  
Limb Weakness ◽  
Muscle Diseases ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right ◽  
Mononuclear Inflammatory Cell

Many muscle diseases show common pathological features although their etiology is different. In primary muscle diseases a characteristic finding is myofiber necrosis. The mechanism of myonecrosis is unknown. Polymyositis is a primary muscle disease characterized by acute and subacute degeneration as well as regeneration of muscle fibers coupled with an inflammatory infiltrate. We present a case of polymyositis with unusual ultrastructural features indicative of the basic pathogenetic process involved in myonecrosis.The patient is a 63-year-old white female with a one history of proximal limb weakness, weight loss and fatigue. Examination revealed mild proximal weakness and diminished deep tendon reflexes. Her creatine kinase was 1800 mU/ml (normal < 140 mU/ml) and electromyography was consistent with an inflammatory myopathy which was verified by light microscopy on biopsy muscle. Ultrastructural study of necrotizing myofiber, from the right vastus lateralis, showed: (1) degradation of the Z-lines with preservation of the adjacent Abands including M-lines and H-bands, (Fig. 1), (2) fracture of the sarcomeres at the I-bands with disappearance of the Z-lines, (Fig. 2), (3) fragmented sarcomeres without I-bands, engulfed by invading phagocytes, (Fig. 3, a & b ), and (4) mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate in the endomysium.

Popliteal artery thrombosis secondary to a tibial osteochondroma

VASA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gruber-Szydlo ◽  
Poreba ◽  
Belowska-Bien ◽  
Derkacz ◽  
Badowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽  
Popliteal Artery ◽  
Doppler Ultrasonography ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Plain Radiography ◽  
Artery Thrombosis ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right

Popliteal artery thrombosis may present as a complication of an osteochondroma located in the vicinity of the knee joint. This is a case report of a 26-year-old man with symptoms of the right lower extremity ischaemia without a previous history of vascular disease or trauma. Plain radiography, magnetic resonance angiography and Doppler ultrasonography documented the presence of an osteochondrous structure of the proximal tibial metaphysis, which displaced and compressed the popliteal artery, causing its occlusion due to intraluminal thrombosis..The patient was operated and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteochondroma.

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