The ecosystem is important for men
Terrestrial and water ecosystems are complex and perfectly organised natural “factories” that produce all that is required for life on Earth and to cover man’s basic requirements: food, fibres, water. Some of these functions of the ecosystems are essential to man, such as air and water depuration, climate control, the nutrient cycle, soil fertility. In addition, some ecosystems (beaches, woods, lakes, high mountains, secluded valleys) are our ideal places for recreation, tourism and meditation, so we can say that the ecosystems have permitted our society and economy to develop. 50% of the world’s population are still engaged in farming, forestry and fishing. This proportion becomes 70% if we take the sub-Sahara, Asian and Pacific countries alone. 25% of the world’s countries have economies that still depend, almost entirely, on the sectors above. Farming alone produces 1.3 trillion dollars of food and fibres a year.
Special reports
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9 May 2022
Pollination, a perfect alliance between plants and animals
Firmly rooted in soil, over the course of their evolution plants have had to develop biological mechanisms for feeding and…
20 October 2021
Chapada Diamantina: a treasure beyond gemstones
Discovering the Diamond Plateau, one of Brazil's most unique naturalistic jewels ...
30 July 2020
Holidays, yes! but they must be sustainable!
We have been speaking of sustainable behaviours to apply to our daily life, but what happens when we unplug and…
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23 June 2020
The Last Wild Valley. In defence of the Cime Bianche
The Vallone delle Cime Bianche or Courtaud Valley rises at the top of the Val d'Ayas, in Valle d'Aosta. It…
10 February 2020
Coral turns pale!
The coral reef is one of the ecosystems with the richest biodiversity...
7 January 2020
Urban woods
When walking along a tree-lined avenue in a crowded and traffic-congested city, wrapped up in our daily commitments, we do…
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6 February 2017
Robotics: environmental monitoring and more
More than 830 events were organised in 30 countries during the European Robotics Week (18-27 November)
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9 May 2022
Pollination, a perfect alliance between plants and animals
Firmly rooted in soil, over the course of their evolution plants have had to develop biological mechanisms for feeding and…
20 October 2021
Chapada Diamantina: a treasure beyond gemstones
Discovering the Diamond Plateau, one of Brazil's most unique naturalistic jewels ...
-
30 July 2020
Holidays, yes! but they must be sustainable!
We have been speaking of sustainable behaviours to apply to our daily life, but what happens when we unplug and…
23 June 2020
The Last Wild Valley. In defence of the Cime Bianche
The Vallone delle Cime Bianche or Courtaud Valley rises at the top of the Val d'Ayas, in Valle d'Aosta. It…
-
10 February 2020
Coral turns pale!
The coral reef is one of the ecosystems with the richest biodiversity...
7 January 2020
Urban woods
When walking along a tree-lined avenue in a crowded and traffic-congested city, wrapped up in our daily commitments, we do…
-
9 May 2022
Pollination, a perfect alliance between plants and animals
Firmly rooted in soil, over the course of their evolution plants have had to develop biological mechanisms for feeding and…
-
20 October 2021
Chapada Diamantina: a treasure beyond gemstones
Discovering the Diamond Plateau, one of Brazil's most unique naturalistic jewels ...
-
30 July 2020
Holidays, yes! but they must be sustainable!
We have been speaking of sustainable behaviours to apply to our daily life, but what happens when we unplug and…
From the Multimedia section
Facts
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Flour from forests
Bread and flour are staple foods for many cultures around the world. It is possible to produce flour from cereals…
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16 May 2011
The concentration of elements
In nature the quantity of elements is extremely important...
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17 May 2011
Myths and legends of the forest
The dark and mysterious shadows of the forest are populated by...
Flour from forests
Bread and flour are staple foods for many cultures around the world. It is possible to produce flour from cereals…
-
16 May 2011
The concentration of elements
In nature the quantity of elements is extremely important...