Pojęcie „świadczenia ekosystemowe” i jego rola w edukacji dla zrównoważonego rozwoju (na przykładzie bzu czarnego Sambucus nigra L.)

Ochrona środowiska dzisiaj to nie tylko promowanie innowacyjnych rozwiązań technicznych, to przede wszystkim innowacyjny sposób myślenia i nowa kultura postępowania i podejmowania działań na co dzień, spełniających rolę w profilaktyce kolejnych zniszczeń środowiska naturalnego. Bogactwo świadczeń ekosystemów stanowi podstawę egzystencji życia na Ziemi. Niestety, według Milenijnej Syntetycznej Oceny Ekosystemów, w XXI wieku około 60% świadczeń ekosystemów w skali świata zostało zdegradowanych. O te pozostałe musimy dbać i upowszechniać prawidłowe rozumienie ich znaczenia. Na szczególną uwagę zasługują funkcje ekosystemów w obszarach wiejskich, które są często niezauważane i niedoceniane. W pracy przedstawiono znaczenie roślin zielarskich na tle opisu świadczeń ekosystemowych wsi na przykładzie dzikiego bzu czarnego (Sambucus nigra L.). Z powodu swojego szerokiego zastosowania roślina ta jest nie tylko nazywana apteczką tych, którzy mieszkają na wsi, ale może także stanowić ich dodatkowe źródło dochodu. Wrażliwość na świadczenia ekosystemowe może zwiększyć szanse na poszukiwanie i dokonywanie bardziej pro-środowiskowych wyborów także przy rozwiązywaniu problemów technicznych (również w grupie działania zawodów inżynierskich).

Protection of the environment today is not only to promote innovative technical solutions, it is primarily an innovative way of thinking and a new culture of conducting and taking action on a daily basis, serving as the prevention of further damage to the environment. The wealth of ecosystem services is of fundamental importance for the life on Earth. Unfortunately, according to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report, by the 21st century approximately 60% of ecosystem services were degraded. Ecosystem services in rural areas are particularly noteworthy as here the link between people and the surrounding nature and biological diversity has special productive value. This relationship should be built in the atmosphere of respect for farmers’ work and the process should be associated with establishing conditions for their wholesome existence. Ecosystem services in rural areas are mainly related to plants, including herbal plants. These are a source of medicinal substances, spices, oils, tanning agents, fibres as well as colouring agents for various industries. Therefore, herbs provide resources and functional services. Herbal plants may originate from natural sites as well as from crops of plants cultivated from species growing in the wild. The first aim of this study was to emphasize the role of the concept of „ecosystem services” in the construction of the reality of sustainable development. The purpose of the study was also to present the significance of herbal plants in the wider context of ecosystem services in rural areas, with the specific example of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.). Elderberry is one of the oldest herbal plants; its dried flowers are known for their diaphoretic, antipyretic, apophlegmatic and anti-inflammatory effects. Similarly its fruit have diaphoretic, antipyretic, pain reducing and detoxifying properties. The study was conducted in 2011 in the area of the Commune of Świlcza, in the Podkarpackie Province, where nine sites were designated for the needs of research. The investigated shrubs of elderberry were in bloom from May to June. The process of fruit maturation started in the third week of August and continued until late September or early October. Provisioning services provided by elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) may constitute an additional source of income for residents of rural areas. Raw materials are collected from healthy shrubs growing away from roads, landfills or industrial plants. The obtained goods designated for sale include fresh and dry flowers, as well as fresh and dry fruit. Fresh inflorescences and fruit are dried at home, following the procedures used by ancestors; these involve stringing fruit or flowers on a thread and hanging them in airy places with roofing. Collecting and selling dry fruit are the most profitable even if the purchase prices fluctuate. By describing the option of collecting and sale of this raw material the author emphasizes the importance of reclaiming traditional forms of activity by residents of rural areas in their search for additional source of income. Greater awareness of ecosystem services may be a result of the new trend involving education for sustainable development, emphasizing the strict link between human well-being and the good condition of nature with diverse ecosystems.