Experiences of the Evaluation of Ecosystem Services and Their Importance in Agriculture

Miskó, Krisztina – Fogarasi, József

Keywords: ecosystem, natural resources; sustainable agricultural management; agriculture; food safety, Q15, Q2, Q57

Addressing the challenges of the accelerating decline in biodiversity, the degradation of ecosystems and climate change is no longer a question today, rather a very serious environmental-economic-social problem. At the end of 2018, two important scientific reports were published to investigate biodiversity loss and the effects of climate change. The first is the report on climate change by the UN IPCC (United Nations - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), the other is the Living Planet Report on the state of biodiversity and ecosystems by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Both reports present a rather pessimistic situation and call for urgent actions and international cooperation in dealing with unfavorable these processes. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment states that 60% of ecosystem services are used unsustainably by humanity. Increasing and accelerating economic use of natural resources, and the negative impact of mankind on the environment causes the weakening of ecosystems and their services. These services are the basis for both social well-being and economic achievement. Thus, the loss of biodiversity, the degradation of ecosystem services, and the negative effects of climate change will result in a loss of income (in many cases complete cessation), and the (often significant) decline in the well-being of the individual and society. The introduction of the concept of ecosystem services is primarily intended to present the complex relationships and processes that characterize the functioning of ecosystems. Beyond monitoring ecosystem changes, it is important to determine the value of the services they provide, which will enable both society and decision-makers to demonstrate the importance of these services and to quantify the benefits they provide to society. This process can contribute to shaping the perception of social and economic actors and to preserving the state of the ecosystem - which also means preserving the earthly life that is presently known. If negative trends in biodiversity loss and climate change continue, it is projected in the baseline scenario within 30 years and in the negative scenarios within 10-15 years that negative changes in these systems will be irreversible and reach the limits that society and economy can adapt to. In order to ensure food supply for the nine billion people predicted by 2050 - in addition to current consumer habits - food production should be increased by 50%. However, increasing production - in addition to current agricultural practices - exerts increased pressure on natural resources, increases degradation and, at the same time, reduces the regulatory function of ecosystems. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, by 2025, two-thirds of the Earth’s population will suffer from water shortages and some crops will disappear from production as they will not be able to tolerate changed climatic conditions. At the same time, the yield of plants with a higher tolerance can be significantly reduced due to global warming. Because food production is based on ecosystem services, it is essential to explore the links between agricultural production and natural ecosystems in order to maintain food safety.

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