With reference to a named global ecosystem, assess the global and local value of its goods and services. (15 marks)

A global ecosystem is system, or a group of interconnected elements, formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment. The ecosystem that I would be writing about is the coral reef in the Maldives. The main characteristics of a coral reef is that they are found close near the shore where the sea temperature is no more below 18 degrees or above 24 degrees. They cannot grow in water no deeper than 25m. The latitude that the coral reefs are found is between 30 north and 30 south which will explain why they are located in tropical oceans near the equator. Goods and services are the outcome of human efforts to meet the wants and needs of people. There are four named services, including product, supporting cultural and regulating. Value looks at the importance or worth of an ecosystem.

With reference to the coral reef in the Maldives the coral reef provides a cultural service for the country Maldives. This is because it brings tourism and enjoyment into the country which at a local scale is very good for the local economy. Therefore at a global scale it provides education for the tourists which they can therefore go on and share their knowledge of the ecosystem with other people in the world. However when the tourist visit the coral reef they tend to damage it by trampling, polluting and causing erosion which creates a threat to the local value.

The coral reef also provides a regulating service in the Maldives. The coral reef can act as physical buffers for ocean waves and currents because as the waves pass a reef structure their energy can be reduced which lesson their impact when reaching the shore. This protects the coastline from erosion, damage and loss of sea grass beds, mangrove forests, coastal settlements and