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Ecological Services

Ecological Services of Meriden’s Natural Resources

 

Meriden’s natural resources are incredibly vital to the community and natural areas. Environmental or ecological services (detailed below) allow us to understand the complexities of biological relationships. These include how clean water benefits amphibian hatching or how healthy soil and plants prevent erosion.

 

A healthy environment leads to a healthy community. Our natural resources present many opportunities and environmental services that we interact with daily:

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  • Clean water – Watershed soil removes contaminants as water passes through and is absorbed by plants. Wooded wetland areas contribute vastly to improving water quality in waterways.

  • Clean air – Through photosynthesis and carbon sequestration, vegetation transforms carbon dioxide into clean air and filters other toxins. Resilient and native plants and trees act as filters for the air.

  • Controlling sediment erosion– Vegetation along the banks of rivers and streams stabilizes the areas against erosion, which is more likely to occur during flooding.  The plants also slow water run-off during flooding.

  • Nutrient Cycling – Living and non-living organisms create healthy soil through decomposition and other nutrient storage methods required to sustain life.

  • Supporting species habitat – Water, vegetation, soil, and the air work together to provide the right food and area for species life stages, including spawning or reproduction. Meriden’s natural areas support upland forests, shrubs, grasslands, wetlands, and aquatic habitats.

  • Helping biodiversity – Biodiversity indicates the health of an ecosystem. A biodiverse habitat deals with threats and adapts to changes that may occur from natural events, like storms or flooding.

  • Protecting endangered species – When an endangered species has a viable ecosystem, it finds refuge in those areas.

  • Sense of Place – Creating a diverse area of ecological amenities reinforces the unique environment and the specific aesthetic quality.

  • Recreation – Through hiking, fishing, boating, etc., enjoying natural resources through outdoor recreation strengthens our appreciation for these resources.

  • Educational opportunities – For the students of our community, the natural resources of Meriden provide a perfect “outdoor” classroom where students can study and research the interconnectedness of our resources.

  • Supporting the local economy through smart growth – Smart growth forms strong neighborhoods with diverse housing and transportation options. It improves residents’ quality of life through community development that protects the environment and public health.

 

All of these services work together, and we find these resources throughout the city of Meriden. These services support our community and the habitats and lives of numerous non-human organisms. As you read through the NRI, we encourage you to consider how the natural resources of Meriden provide one or more of these services to you, your family, the community, and the greater natural area.

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Resources

 

https://meridennri.wixsite.com/meridennri

 

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-05/documents/competitive_advantage_051215_508_final.pdf

 

https://www.millenniumassessment.org/documents/document.300.aspx.pdf

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