What are ecosystem services?

Ecosystem services refer to the wide range of benefits that humans derive from natural ecosystems. These services include essential functions such as the purification of air and water, pollination of crops, carbon storage, soil formation, and recreation, among others. Clean air is a vital ecosystem service that contributes to human health, while recreational opportunities provide social and mental well-being.

This concept illustrates the intrinsic value of ecosystems beyond just economic factors, encompassing both tangible and intangible benefits. Recognizing these services is crucial for promoting conservation efforts, as it highlights the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems for both wildlife and human populations alike.

The other choices focus on aspects that do not align with the comprehensive understanding of ecosystem services. Some discuss negative impacts or regulations that govern ecological systems, while others may restrict the definition solely to commercially valuable benefits, which does not fully capture the diverse advantages ecosystems provide.