Ecosystem Services and Resources

Tim O'Connell from Oklahoma State University discusses natural resources and ecosystem services. Natural resources are divided into renewable and non-renewable categories. Renewable resources can be replenished on a human timescale, while non-renewable resources, like fossil fuels, cannot. Ecosystem services are benefits provided by ecosystems, categorized into supporting, regulating, provisioning, and cultural services. Supporting services include processes like photosynthesis, while regulating services involve ecological functions like erosion control. Provisioning services provide tangible resources like food and water, and cultural services offer non-material benefits like recreation and spiritual enrichment.

What are natural resources primarily used for?

• Decorative purposes

• Sustaining life and human industry

• Creating art

• Building entertainment parks

Which of the following is a renewable resource?

• Oil

• Sunlight

• Coal

• Natural gas

What is the main difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

• Renewable resources are always man-made

• Non-renewable resources can be replenished quickly

• Non-renewable resources are unlimited

• Renewable resources can be replenished on a human timescale

What are ecosystem services?

• Benefits provided by ecosystems

• Services offered by humans

• Industrial products

• Technological advancements

Which process is an example of a supporting ecosystem service?

• Recreation

• Water purification

• Photosynthesis

• Erosion control

What role do regulating ecosystem services play?

• They maintain ecological balance

• They provide cultural experiences

• They create new species

• They offer technological solutions

Which of the following is a regulating ecosystem service?

• Cultural heritage

• Food production

• Erosion control

• Photosynthesis

What is a provisioning ecosystem service?

• Providing cultural experiences

• Offering technological advancements

• Maintaining biodiversity

• Supplying food and water

Which ecosystem service is difficult to quantify in monetary terms?

• Regulating

• Provisioning

• Supporting

• Cultural

How do cultural ecosystem services benefit humans?

• By providing food

• By producing oxygen

• By offering recreational and spiritual benefits

• By controlling climate