8.2 Natural Capital & Sustainability
Natural capital is the term used to describe resources from nature that are managed by humans because they provide goods and services
Natural goods and services
Marketable goods. Example: timber and crops
Ecological services. Example: flood protection, erosion prevention and climate regulation
Renewable natural capital is natural resource that can be replace or regenerated at a rate equal to or faster than they are being used
Non-renewable natural capital includes natural resources that cannot be replaced or regenerated at a rate equal to or faster than they are being used
Renewable natural capital
Living species and ecosystems
Can regenerate through natural processes
Non-living systems
Groundwater and ozone layer
Non-renewable natural capital
Fossil fuels
Soil
Minerals
Sustainable Utilization of Renewable Natural Capital
Forest management
Selective logging, reforestation, and maintaining biodiversity
Fisheries Management
Renewable Energy
Unsustainable Utilization of Renewable Natural Capital
Deforestation
Overfishing
Water Extraction
The value of Natural Capital
Aesthetic
Cultural
Economic
Environmental
Ethical
Intrinsic
Social
Spiritual
Technological