Indoor Ecosystem Services: Bringing Ecology and People Together

The concept of ecosystem services has invoked considerable interest since the publication of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). Even though growing interest is directed at urban areas, most of the assessments of ecosystem services focus on functions, goods and services related to semi-natur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human ecology review 2012-07, Vol.19 (1), p.70-76
Main Author: Lyytimaeki, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Consumption
Ecology
Ecosystem assessment
Ecosystem management
Ecosystem services
Ecosystems
Environment management
Forest ecosystems
Green roofs
Human ecology
Human Ecology Forum: Essays, Commentaries and Applications
Innovations
Lifestyle
Modern Society
Nature
Resource Management
Reviews
Streams
Sustainable agriculture
Technological Change
Urban Areas
Urban ecology
Urbanization
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Summary:The concept of ecosystem services has invoked considerable interest since the publication of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). Even though growing interest is directed at urban areas, most of the assessments of ecosystem services focus on functions, goods and services related to semi-natural and natural areas. This essay suggests that a focus on urban indoor spaces provides a fruitful perspective which is required in order to make the concept of ecosystem services fully operational for environmental management in contemporary societies. Indoor spaces serve as venues for the consumption of ecosystem services and they have major potential for providing some of the services that are currently produced outdoors. Continuing urbanisation combined with technological development and lifestyle changes increase the importance of indoor spaces as the human living environment. Innovative and integrative research that is capable of bringing together insights from two largely separate research streams focusing on indoor and outdoor environments is clearly needed.
ISSN:1074-4827
2204-0919