Myers N
Green Collge, Oxford University, United Kingdom.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996 Apr 2;93(7):2764-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.7.2764.
Humans derive many utilitarian benefits from the environmental services of biotas and ecosystems. This is often advanced as a prime argument to support conservation of biodiversity. There is much to be said for this viewpoint, as is documented in this paper through a summary assessment of several categories of environmental services, including regulation of climate and biogeochemical cycles, hydrological functions, soil protection, crop pollination, pest control, recreation and ecotourism, and a number of miscellaneous services. It is shown that the services are indeed significant, whether in ecological or economic senses. Particularly important is the factor of ecosystem resilience, which appears to underpin many of the services. It should not be supposed, however, that environmental services stem necessarily and exclusively from biodiversity. While biodiversity often plays a key role, the services can also derive from biomass and other attributes of biotas. The paper concludes with a brief overview assessment of economic values at issue and an appraisal of the implications for conservation planning.
人类从生物群落和生态系统的环境服务中获得了许多实用益处。这通常被作为支持生物多样性保护的一个主要论据。这种观点有很多可取之处，正如本文通过对几类环境服务的总结评估所记录的那样，这些服务包括气候和生物地球化学循环的调节、水文功能、土壤保护、作物授粉、病虫害控制、娱乐和生态旅游，以及一些其他杂项服务。结果表明，这些服务无论是在生态意义上还是经济意义上都确实非常重要。特别重要的是生态系统恢复力这一因素，它似乎是许多服务的基础。然而，不应认为环境服务必然且仅仅源于生物多样性。虽然生物多样性往往起着关键作用，但这些服务也可以源自生物群落的生物量和其他属性。本文最后简要概述了相关经济价值评估，并对其对保护规划的影响进行了评价。
