Human existence and well-being are entirely dependent on nature and ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems provide us with fresh water to drink, fertile soils to grow food, and clean air to breathe. Ecosystems also regulate water distribution, rainfall, and climate, things on which our agricultural systems have grown to depend upon. These vital services provided by nature are practically irreplaceable, and safeguarding them is absolutely critical for human well-being. More than 75 percent of global food crop types, including fruits and vegetables and some of the most important cash crops, such as coffee, cocoa, and almonds, rely on natural pollinators for seed and fruit production, and wild insect predators are important for controlling pest outbreaks. 

Nature also serves as the final destination of our wastes. Wastewater (treated or untreated) is discharged in rivers, lakes, and oceans, and carbon dioxide from the use of fossil fuels is taken up by growing vegetation and dissolves in oceans. Nature can absorb and decontaminate human waste, but only to an extent. It is clear that the emissions of greenhouse gases and many other types of pollution greatly exceed the capacity of nature to process them. Furthermore, plastics are not broken down in biological processes, meaning that they will stay and accumulate in ecosystems for hundreds of years, disturbing organisms and ecological processes.

The regulatory services provided by nature have been in continuous decline over the past 50 years, as land use has intensified and natural ecosystems have been destroyed and deteriorated. For example, soil organic carbon and pollinator diversity have declined, indicating that the gains in food production obtained by intensified land use are often not sustainable. Currently, land degradation has reduced productivity in 23 percent of the global terrestrial area and pollinator loss threatens crop output worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

The protection provided by coastal wetlands and coral reefs against floods and storm surges is also included in the regulatory benefits provided by nature. The loss of coastal habitats and coral reefs increases the risk from floods and hurricanes to life and property for the 100 million to 300 million people living in areas vulnerable coastal areas. River floods are also causing damages to life and property, and the risks for such damages are increasing with climate change and the destruction of forests and wetlands that slow the flow of water and reduce erosion.   

All of our food and feed comes from nature, as do many materials for clothing, building, and other purposes. Many of our medicines originate from nature, and an estimated 4 billion people rely primarily on natural medicines for their health care. Over the past 50 years, the amount of food, feed, and biomass that has been extracted from nature has increased dramatically. While this has allowed for increasing human populations and better material living standards, the intense use of land and fisheries is not sustainable in the long run, as evidenced by widespread land degradation and overharvested fisheries.

The non-material benefits of nature to human well-being relate to inspiration and  learning, physical and psychological experiences, and supporting identities – that are central to the quality of life and  cultural integrity, even if their aggregated value is difficult to quantify.

Research shows that being in and experiencing nature support mental and physical well-being. Many people derive profound inspiration and meaning from experiences with nature. Studies in environmental psychology have shown how being and exercising in natural environments lowers blood pressure and relieves stress.

The non-material benefits of nature are also connected to its aesthetic value, as the ability to appreciate natural beauty can bring meaning and purpose to human lives. This is most clearly seen in art: nature has always served as inspiration for artists and practicing as well as enjoying art can bring meaning and wellbeing to our lives. Moreover, the appreciation of nature may evoke the desire to safeguard nature. The non-material benefits brought by nature can therefore also lead to the conservation and wellbeing of material nature. (For example Thiele, 2013, has written about the role of art and culture in appreciating nature.)

However, over the past 50 years, increased urbanization and modification of natural and traditional landscapes have diminished the opportunities for many people to fully enjoy these non-material benefits of nature. The importance of nature to humans is recognized all over the world, as new recreational and protected areas are being established and visitation rates to them are increasing. The establishment of protected areas may however cause conflicts with local residents and indigenous peoples if their needs and interests are not taken into consideration in the management of these areas.

The cultural identity of people, such as the sense of being part of a culture and its traditions, are often tied to nature and traditional means of living in specific locations. Preserving nature is thus important for the preservation of cultural heritage as well. Increasing globalization, urbanization, and changes in landscapes undermine these building blocks of identity and can cause distress and insecurity. A deeper understanding and appreciation of the importance of nature to human overall well-being can also result in actions to care for nature, resulting in increased well-being of both humans and nature.

The diversity of nature maintains humanity’s ability to choose alternatives in the face of an uncertain future, and loss of biodiversity thus means reduced options for crop plants, medicines, or for other potential uses in the future. As we are losing populations and species at an accelerating rate, we are effectively burning resources that may have been very valuable in the future. With accelerating climate change and uncertainty about future conditions, reducing future options can be a very serious mistake.