Animals and Ecosystem Services
摘要
Animals provide key ecosystem services like pollination, pest and disease control, and seed dispersal, which are crucial for ecosystem balance and floral health. Conserving these animal populations is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and thriving economies. Despite their significant economic contributions, these services often go unrecognized in traditional economic metrics. This chapter focuses on the economic value of selected ecosystem services provided by wildlife and the need to invest in conservation initiatives to promote a sustainable future for animals, humans, the planet, and our economies as well. It proposes a multi-faceted approach to achieving this, including Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs, sustainable eco-tourism, conservation trust funds, incentives for sustainable agriculture, and strengthened wildlife protection laws. By internalizing the value of these ecosystem services in economic policies, we can ensure animal well-being, conservation, and thriving economies.