ECOLOGICAL GOODS AND SERVICES

REEDS AND UNVEGETATED

SHALLOW HABITAT
Reeds Habitat
Phragmites australis, the common Reeds, is a large
perennial grass found in wetlands throughout
temperate and tropical regions of the world. It is
sometimes regarded as the sole species of the genus
Phragmites

Source: John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org

Description
Reed is referred as an ecosystem
Taxonomy
engineer.
It is considered both a pioneer and a
Kingdom=plantae climax species.
Phylum =anthophyta It is often considered a weedy or
Class =liliopsida nuisance species
Order =cyperales It is weedy and invasive
Family =poaceae Often described as characteristics of
Genus =phragmites disturbed sites
Ecosystem services and goods
Provisioning Regulating
Forage value for livestock Water filter
Food,nesting,roosting(bird) and hunting Soil binding preventing washouts
Shelter, shade for aquatic animals Protect eroding coastlines
Biofuel Thermal regulation for small mammals
Fibre meal(seeds) and medicine
Materials for making roof , basket etc
Attachment site for larva and eggs

Supporting Cultural
Increase humus content of soil Aesthetic value(landscape)
Ecosystem regeneration Recreational(games)
Buffer zone(stands organic sediments) Spiritual value(prayer sticks)
Landscape level biodiversity Ceremony
Example of services

Reed habitat for protection and food

Drivers of change
Climate variability
seaClimate variability
level rise, weather Anthropogenic
sea level rise, weather
pattern, temperature tidalAnthropogenic
manipulation,
pattern, temperature
variation waterwaymanipulation,
tidal Construction,
variation waterway Construction,

Natural disturbance Land use

Natural disturbance Land use land
land development,
grazing ,fire ,storms Drivers of
grazing ,fire ,storms Drivers of land development,
drainage land
change
change drainage

Eutrophication Economic driver

Eutrophication
Pollution of freshwater Economic driver
Pollution of freshwater Intensive agriculture,
supply Intensivetreatment
herbicide agriculture,
supply herbicide treatment
Biological invasion
Biological
woodland invasion
succession,
woodland
scrub succession,
encroachment
scrub encroachment
Unvegetated Shallow Habitat
Oyster Reef

Source: Smithsonian Marine

DESCRIPTION
 Oyster reefs, often referred to as oyster bars, are common
submerged habitat . Oyster reefs are found in near shore
areas and estuaries of coasts, but grow especially vigorously
near estuarine river mouths where waters are brackish and
less than 10 meters deep
 Oyster reefs are built primarily through successive
reproduction and settlement of larvae onto existing reef
structure.
 Thus, over time, continued settlement and subsequent
growth of generations of oysters may form massive reef
structures consisting of staggering numbers of individuals
Ecosystem Services and Goods
Provisioning Regulating
Refuge for species Water quality and circulation pattern
Food to secondary consumer filtration
Foraging
microhabitat

Supporting
Nutrient regeneration
Decomposition of organic matter
 sediments stability
Buffer against wave motion
Cultural
Self sustaining ecosystem
Encourages aethestics
Landscape value
Drivers of Change
Climate variability Anthropogenic
Climate variability
weather pattern Anthropogenic
Boating activities
weather pattern Boating activities

Natural disturbance
Natural disturbance Land use
Wave motion Drivers of Land use
Wave motion
Disease,predator Drivers of
change
Disease,predator change

Sand replenishment agriculture runnoff,input

Sand replenishment ofagriculture runnoff,input
polluted freshwater
of polluted freshwater

Biotoxin,
Biotoxin,
 DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES
Reeds Habitat
Higher support of primary production
Better sediment stability
Ecosystem responses is high
Frequency of anthropogenic impact is more
Significant role in system productivity
Rate of recovery after disturbance is higher
Better biological supermarket
Common effects associated with drivers of
change
Direct and indirect interactions involving
trophic dynamics
Succession rate is higher
Provide same model relating to ecological
functions and values
Higher community structure (species richness
and dominance
Selfreinforcing is high
Unvegetated Shallow Habitat
High of support primary production
Good sediment stability
Ecosystem responses is moderate
Frequency of anthropogenic impact is lower
Significant role in system productivity
Rate of recovery after disturbance is slower
Good biological supermarket
Common effects associated with drivers of
change
Direct and indirect interactions involving
trophic dynamics
Succession rate is high
Provide same model relating to ecological
functions and values
High community structure(species richness
and dominance
Selfreinforcing is low