Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem services are defined as the benefits provided by ecosystems to humans. According to Chapter 11 of the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, these services can be divided into regulating, supporting, cultural, and provisioning services.
Regulating services determine the intrinsic stability of an ecosystem and include for example pollination, climate regulation, carbon sequestration, and pest control.
Supporting services describe services that are needed for the production of other services. This includes nutrient and water cycling, soil formation, provision of habitat, and primary production.
Cultural services refer to the spiritual or aesthetic value of ecosystems.
Provisioning services are often direct services to humans, for example the production of food, fiber and fuel or the provision of fresh water.
For more information on ecosystem services, ecosystem functioning, and its link to biodiversity see Chapter 11 of the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment.
