Ecosystem services

Definition

Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from natural ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services. These services are essential for human survival and well-being.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Provisioning services include resources like food, water, and raw materials.
2. Regulating services involve climate regulation, flood control, and disease management.
3. Supporting services include soil formation, nutrient cycling, and photosynthesis.
4. Cultural services encompass recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits.
5. Aquatic and marine biomes provide crucial ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and fisheries.

Review Questions

• What are the four categories of ecosystem services?
• How do aquatic biomes contribute to carbon sequestration?
• Give an example of a provisioning service provided by marine ecosystems.

Related terms

Biodiversity: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Nutrient Cycling: The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Carbon Sequestration: The process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in vegetation, soils, or aquatic environments.