# Smart Contracts Smart contracts play a fundamental role in the EarthPulse ecosystem by automating key processes and ensuring transparency. Smart contracts are self-executing programs deployed on the blockchain that enforce predefined rules without the need for intermediaries. Within the EarthPulse ecosystem, smart contracts handle several important functions including: Token transfers Reward distribution Environmental activity verification records Governance voting Ecosystem transactions Because smart contracts operate on decentralized blockchain infrastructure, they provide transparency and security for all participants. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://earth-pulse.gitbook.io/earth-pulse-whitepaper/smart-contracts.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.