UNDERSTANDING GIANT KELP FORESTS
In this activity, you will investigate the various ecosystem services provided by kelp forests and understand their importance to both the environment and human well-being.
What are ecosystem services? Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from nature.
In the video you will learn about the four different main categories of ecosystem services.
Provisioning Services: Goods that humans directly obtain from ecosystems, such as food and raw materials.
Regulating Services: Benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, like climate regulation and water purification.
Cultural Services: Non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems, including recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual values.
Habitat Services: The role ecosystems play in providing habitats for species, which maintain biodiversity.
12. Write a few ways that kelp forests benefit you and your community.
13. Record which ecosystem service category each of these benefits fall under.
13b Extension: Explore how ecosystem services provided by kelp forests compare to those of other marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs or mangroves. Consider how these ecosystems might complement each other in maintaining a healthy ocean environment.