| dc.description.abstract | The planet's ecosystems are being severely destroyed or altered due to human activities, with an unprecedented intensity of changes in aspects of land use, alteration of biogeochemical cycles due to the release of pollutants, destruction and fragmentation of several habitats, introduction of exotic species and changes weather conditions (SALA et al., 2000; ELLIS et. al. 2013). For Duarte et al. (2009) and Palomo et al. (2012) the entire set of changes influenced by human activities has effects generated on a global scale. In addition, and even if it is not so recognized, there is strong evidence that changes in ecosystems cause direct or indirect influences on human well-being, compromising their functioning and their ability to generate substantial benefits for society (ELLIS et al. , 2013). In this context, to study the relationship between nature and society, it is necessary to analyze at least two fundamental aspects: how human beings affect the integrity of ecosystems and how they, in turn, affect human well-being (MARTIN-LOPES et al., 2007). | en |
