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Ecosystems

Global Perspective

Ecosystems are made up of a complex web of life.  Each creature, plant and micro-organism plays a crucial role in the health of the overall ecosystem and planet.

A wetland, for example, filters pollutants from the water.  It stabilises water flow, acting as a sponge in the wet seasons and slowly releasing water during drier times.  It is the home to multitudes of creatures and plant life.  It provides resources that we can use, and it is a place of peace and beauty.

"There are times when the most difficult decision of all is to acknowledge the obvious.  It is obvious that the world’s national economies are based on the goods and services derived from ecosystems; it is also obvious that human life itself depends on the continuing capacity of ecosystems to provide their multitude of benefits" - World Resources Institute, People and Ecosystems (2000), The Fraying Web of Life.

If we choose to continue our traditional patterns of use, we face almost certain declines in the ability of ecosystems to yield their broad spectrum of benefits — from clean water to stable climate, fuel wood to food crops, timber to wildlife habitat.  But we can choose another option - This requires re-orienting how we see ecosystems, so that we learn to view their sustainability as essential to our own. Adopting this 'ecosystem approach' means we evaluate our decisions on land and resource use in terms of how they affect the capacity of ecosystems to sustain life, not only human well-being but also the health and productive potential of plants, animals, and natural systems.

Read more about Ecosystems and Human Well-being in the report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Panel.

For kids and grown-ups...

• United Nations Pachamama website - for young people, predominately written by young people.  It gives a good overview of our planets ecosystems along with stories from all over the world.
• Kids Planet has a great story about the web of life.
• Forest and Bird have a great kids' conservation site.
• I Spy an Ecosystem provides a good explanation of what an ecosystem is, highlighting the importance and interconnectedness of all life.
• The principles of ecology are what underpin how things work on planet Earth.
• Retaining our biodiversity is fundamentally linked with our own health and well-being, and that of our children and future generations.
• The Earth Life Web is a website dedicated to supplying you with all the information you need about life on this planet.
• Become a defender of the planet - a great kids website aimed at educating and empowering action on just how important and sacred our planet is.
• The Story of Stuff answers the question: 'why can't things keep going the way they are?'
• We do live in a global world.  We consume items that have been sourced and created from all over the world, but we often have no idea of the environmental damage or social justices association to that product.  By supporting sustainable trade practices (that care for people and planet), we help other communities maintain the quality of their environment.   If we support sustainable businesses, then those businesses will thrive and survive and so will we.
• In a sustainable world, each community is responsible for the care and protection of their local ecosystems.  Understanding the importance of ecosystems at the global level shows us the importance of taking care of our local ecosystems.  If every community did this, our planet's ecosystems would be in pretty good shape.
• There are just so many simple, fun things we can do to make a difference and it always feels good knowing we are making a difference.

Local ecosystems

Rotorua hosts a unique geothermal ecosystem which forms part of wider freshwater ecosystems, including Rotorua's lakes, forests, wetlands, streams and rivers.  All the water from the Rotorua and Rotoiti catchment area travels to these lakes, and from Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti travels down the Kaituna River to the estuary at Maketu where it finally reaches the sea.  A catchment approach to the guardianship of freshwater systems is crucial, as all parts are connected and water is extremely important!  Other creatures rely on our ecosystems too.  For exampole, fish breed in wetlands and estuaries!

There are some great walks around the Rotorua area that will take you through the complete diversity of our district's precious ecosystems. Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for safeguarding the health of our ecosystems.

Learning to live more in balance with the earth’s natural systems is a journey.  The one person who can make a difference is you – so begin your journey towards a more sustainable future.

Learn more about...

• Well-being
• Waste minimisation
• Sustainable transport
• Water
• Sustainable business
• Sustainable development
• Sustainable buildings
• Climate change
• Energy efficiency
• Food systems
• Forests
• Wetlands
• Consumer information
• Air quality