Canoeing through Bronx River Forest organized by the Bronx River Alliance.
The Bronx River provides great space for recreation and education.

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services are the benefits that people get from ecosystems. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment distinguishes four types of ecosystem services:

1. Supporting, such as nutrient cycling and soil formation.
2. Provisioning, such as fresh water, food, wood and fiber.
3. Regulating, including microclimate regulation, flood regulation, and water purification.
4. Cultural, for example, aesthetic, spiritual, educational and recreational.

Cultural and regulating ecosystem services are perhaps the most important in the urban environment. As an example, learn more about ecosystem services provided by urban trees (a PDF factsheet developed by the Urban Environment program at Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC). NGOs in the Bronx and other cities restore urban ecosystems so that these ecosystems can provide important ecosystem services. For example, YMPJ has installed a green roof to keep stormwater from running off into the sewer system, to provide habitat for birds, and for education. Restorationists and youth in Rocking the Boat restore oyster reefs in the Bronx River estuary to improve water quality, increase aquatic biodiversity, and also contribute to education of local residents about biodiversity.

Literature:

• Bolund, P., & Hunhammar, S. (1999). Ecosystem services in urban areas. Ecological economics, 29, 293-301.
• Constanza, R., d'Arge, R., de Groot, R., Farber, S., Grasso, M., Hannon, B., et al. (1998). The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital. Ecological economics, 25, 3-15.
• Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). Ecosystems and human well-being: a report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.
• Reyes, D., Sneed, S., Oliveira, S., & Zidar, K. (2008). Greening guide. Supporting and creation so it supports us! New York: Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice.
• Ruhl, J. B., Kraft, S. E., & Lant, C. L. (2007). The law and policy of ecosystem services. Wachington, D.C.: Island Press.