Ecosystem Services

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What are ecosystem services?

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Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from natural ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

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What is a provisioning service?

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Provisioning services are the products obtained from ecosystems, such as food, fresh water, wood, fiber, and genetic resources.

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What is a regulating service?

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Regulating services are the benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, such as climate regulation, water purification, and disease control.

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What is a cultural service?

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Cultural services are the non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits.

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What is a supporting service?

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Supporting services are the services that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services, such as soil formation, nutrient cycling, and primary production.

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How does biodiversity affect ecosystem stability?

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Higher biodiversity generally leads to greater ecosystem stability, as diverse ecosystems are more resilient to disturbances and changes.

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What is an example of a cultural service?

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An example of a cultural service is the enjoyment of nature through activities like hiking, bird watching, and photography.

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What is an example of a regulating service?

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An example of a regulating service is the role of wetlands in filtering pollutants from water and reducing flood risks.

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What is the impact of decreased biodiversity on natural resources?

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Decreased biodiversity can lead to the loss of natural resources, including food, medicine, and clean water.

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What is the intrinsic value of ecosystems?

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The intrinsic value of ecosystems refers to the inherent worth of nature, independent of its utility to humans.