Logo: Atmosphere

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the mass of air surrounding the earth. It's components (such as oxygen) and it's processes (such as temperature regulation) support a number of essential ecosystem services.

Important for the following ecosystem services:

Climate regulation

Global climate regulation is provided by nature through the long-term storage of carbon dioxide in soils, vegetable biomass, and the oceans. At a regional level, the climate is regulated by ocean currents and winds while, at local and micro-levels, vegetation can modify temperatures, humidity, and wind speeds.

Dilution by atmosphere and ecosystems

Water, both fresh and saline, and the atmosphere can dilute the gases, fluids and solid waste produced by human activity.

Pollination

Pollination services are provided by three main mechanisms: animals, water and wind. The majority of plants depend to some extent on animals that act as vectors, or pollinators, to perform the transfer of pollen.

Soil quality

Soil quality is provided through weathering processes, which maintain bio-geochemical conditions of soils including fertility and soil structure, and decomposition and fixing processes, which enables nitrogen fixing, nitrification and mineralisation of dead organic material.

Water flow maintenance

The hydrological cycle, also called water cycle or hydrologic cycle, is the system that enables circulation of water through the Earth’s atmosphere, land, and oceans. The hydrological cycle is responsible for recharge of groundwater sources (i.e. aquifers) and maintenance of surface water flows.

Mediation of sensory impacts

Vegetation is the main (natural) barrier used to reduce noise and light pollution, limiting the impact it can have on human health and the environment.

Influenced by the following drivers of environmental change:

Data needs

  • Current seasonality of precipitation and temperature and wind

Global asset layer