Question

What are some goods and services provided by natural ecosystems?

Short answer

Natural ecosystems provide a range of goods and services like food, fresh water, raw materials, medicinal resources, water purification, climate regulation, waste decomposition, pollination, nutrient cycling, soil formation, habitat provision, recreation, and spiritual, educational, and aesthetic values.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Provisioning Services

Provisioning services are the products obtained from ecosystems. This can be broken down into food (like fruits, vegetables, and animals), raw materials (like timber and fibers), fresh water, and medicinal resources (from different flora and fauna).

Identify Regulating Services

Regulating services are the benefits obtained from the natural control of ecosystem processes. Examples include water purification (wetlands absorbing pollutants), climate regulation (forests sequestering carbon), waste decomposition, and pollination of plants.

Identify Supporting Services

Supporting services are those that allow for the other ecosystem services. Notable examples are nutrient cycling (the process of decomposition and regeneration of materials), soil formation and retention (minimizing soil erosion), and habitat provision for various species.

Identify Cultural Services

Cultural services are non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems. This includes recreation (such as parks and wildlife sanctuaries), spiritual and religious value (sacred sites and species), and education or inspiration from natural environments (ecotourism, art).