“An ecosystem consists of a dynamic set of living organisms (plants, animals and microorganisms) all interacting among themselves and with the environment in which they live (soil, climate, water, and light).  An ecosystem does not have precise boundaries—it can be as small as a pond or a dead tree, or as large as the earth itself.  An ecosystem can also be defined in terms of its vegetation, animal species or type of relief, for example.  Forest ecosystems are characterized by a predominance of trees, and by the fauna, flora and ecological cycles (energy, water, carbon and nutrients) with which they are closely associated.”

To further simplify the understanding of the concept of ecosystem services, it is perhaps best to compare ecosystem services to ecosystem goods, a concept with which we are more intimately familiar.  Ecosystem goods are those goods which are produced by natural ecosystems.  These may include goods such as sea food, game animals, fuel wood, timber, and pharmaceuticals, as well as fossil fuels, which are in essence goods from ecosystems long past. 

Ecosystem services, on the other hand, are the much less tangible, though equally important, benefits received by humanity from natural ecosystems.  They have been broadly described as the “wide range of conditions and processes through which natural ecosystems, and the species that are a part of them, help sustain and fulfill human life (Daily et al. 2003).”  It is certain that these services are essential to civilization, are complex enough so as to not be easily replaced by technology, and are already being impaired by human activities.  Examples of specific ecosystem services will be presented in the Boreal Ecosystem Services section.

The idea of ecosystem services is centered around the preservation of natural ecosystems, broadly defined here as ecosystems that are not human dominated (in other words, not urban or agricultural ecosystems).  The focus on natural ecosystems stems from the fact that virtually all of Earth’s remaining natural ecosystems are generally undervalued by society and potentially threatened.  Human disruptions of these ecosystems, such as the introduction of exotic species, over-harvesting of fauna and resources, alteration of biogeochemical cycles, and unsustainable agricultural practices, may be difficult or impossible to reverse. 

The concept of ecosystem services is a valuable one. The implementation of management programs based on this concept would require a shift from a short-term, profit driven mindset to an equally profitable mindset based on long-term sustainability.  At the very core of the concept is the idea that natural ecosystems are a valuable commodity, and not just for aesthetic reasons, but for economic reasons as well.  Furthermore, this concept bolsters the argument that the preservation of natural ecosystems is necessary for the survival of civilization.