Ecosystem services

Science

Definition

Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from natural ecosystems. They are categorized as provisioning (food, water), regulating (climate control, flood prevention), cultural (recreation, spiritual value), and supporting (nutrient cycling, soil formation).

Examples

  • Wetlands provide flood control by absorbing excess water during heavy rains
  • Bees and other pollinators provide pollination services worth billions of dollars to agriculture annually
  • Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂ and helping regulate global climate

Related Terms

Ecosystems Biodiversity Biogeochemical cycles Energy flow

Study This Concept

Practice ecosystem services with free review games in these units:

AP Environmental Science Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity