Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.

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Why is high biodiversity important for a healthy environment?

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High biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience, stability, and the ability to recover from disturbances, ensuring the provision of essential ecosystem services.

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What are ecosystem services?

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

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What are provisioning services?

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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 are regulating services?

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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 are cultural services?

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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 are supporting services?

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

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What is an example of a provisioning service?

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Fruits, fish, and livestock are examples of provisioning services.

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What does renewable mean in the context of ecosystem services?

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Renewable means able to be replaced or replenished naturally over time.

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What is an example of a regulating service?

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Climate regulation, such as the role of forests in absorbing carbon dioxide, is an example of a regulating service.