Supporting services

Definition

Supporting services refer to the ecosystem functions that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services. These services include nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production.

Analogy

Think of supporting services as the foundation of a building. Just like a strong foundation is essential for a stable structure, supporting services provide the necessary groundwork for other ecosystem services to thrive.

Related terms

Provisioning services: These are the tangible resources that ecosystems provide, such as food, water, and timber.

Regulating services: Regulating services refer to the benefits provided by ecosystems that help regulate environmental conditions, such as climate regulation and water purification.

Cultural services: Cultural services encompass non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems, including recreational opportunities and spiritual or aesthetic values.