Ecosystem services (ES) refer to all the benefits people receive from ecosystems. They differ from most other goods and services because they are much more complex in function, interaction, and impact. Ecosystem services enable people to obtain resources from the land itself through proper care and use of resources. Four types of ecosystem services are currently distinguished: providing, regulating, cultural, and supporting (Pearce, 2020). Each class allows humanity to sustain itself with vital resources such as food, firewood, water, etc.
The development of ecosystem services not only satisfies human life needs but also works for a sense of aesthetics. For example, cultural services have enabled people to breed new species of ornamental plants, which they use to decorate their homes and grounds. Many communities place a high value on preserving historically significant landscapes (“cultural landscapes”) or culturally notable species (animals or plants). Thus, the ecosystem influences human cultural development by identifying people with certain landscapes, forests, mountains, or fields.
Generally, the term “indigenous peoples” refers to peoples who have faced colonization or conquest and therefore find themselves a minority (or “non-dominant” part of the population) within a state formed by an incoming dominant group (Amnesty International, 2019). Indigenous peoples have inherent characteristics, such as Historical continuity with pre-colonial societies (societies before conquest) and strong ties to territories and adjacent natural resources. They are also characterized by different social, economic, or political systems and a rare language, culture, and beliefs.
The notion of unpopular indigenous peoples in society is considered a rudimentary phenomenon. Despite this, recently, young representatives of indigenous peoples, who are almost forgotten, have begun to remind themselves of their rights by standing up for them. For example, the story of Alba Veronica Yacabalcchia, who belongs to the Guatemalan indigenous Maya Kiche (United Nations, 2022). She has long defended the rights of her people through the recognition of her people’s language, the translation of necessary documentation for her fellow citizens, and the fight against discrimination based on the nationality of more “recognized” people. This is just one of the thousands of examples of young people drawing public attention to their people through news and government coverage.
Reference
Amnesty International. (2019). Indigenous peoples. Amnesty.org. Web.
Pearce, R. (2020). What are ecosystem services? Earth.org – Past | Present | Future. Web.
United Nations. (2022). Fighting for indigenous rights in guatemala. OHCHR.org. Web.