GEOG 360 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Risk Perception, Eutrophication, Ecosystem Services
3 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
There can be trade-offs between services, which occur at multiple scales. Supporting and regulating services have been degraded overall. Economists generally hold that any ecosystem service can be replaced. Increasing services like crop production tends to degrade of other services. Drawing tradeoff curves, with services on different axes. Ex: applying compost to fields sequesters carbon and increases yield. Crop cultivation and water quality in the mississippi basin. 36% cultivated, produces 40% of the world"s corn and agriculture economy is bil. Nitrate export along rivers has tripled since the 1950s, Nitrate pollutes groundwater, resulting in eutrophication of water bodies. Models were built to simulate yields and nitrate export during different years. Applying extra fertilizer has marginal benefits on yields & significant impact on leaching. Often economic, legal or political valuations are prioritized over ecological ones. Risk perception (nuclear power has 0 carbon emissions but there"s high risk)
