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The Derivation Of Geologic Ecosystem Services From Geodiversity In The Black Hills Region Of South Dakota And Wyoming, James Campbell Cooke

Dissertations and Theses

The ecosystem services approach seeks to recognize the benefits that people obtain from ecosystems, in order to highlight society’s dependence on natural systems. Ecosystem services fall into four categories: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. Most of the ecosystem services research literature is focused on services that arise from biotic components of ecosystems. Ecosystems are dynamic complexes of biotic communities and their physical, non-living environment, interacting as a functional unit. The emphasis on biotic ecosystem services leaves understudied and undervalued the role of the abiotic, physical environment, especially in providing geologic ecosystem services. Geologic ecosystem services have been the focus …