What defines an ecosystem service?

An ecosystem service is defined as a benefit provided by natural ecosystems to humans, highlighting the essential functions that nature performs which support human life and economic activity. These services can be categorized into four main types: provisioning services (like food and water supply), regulating services (such as climate regulation and flood control), cultural services (which provide recreational and aesthetic benefits), and supporting services (like nutrient cycling that sustain the ecosystem itself).

Understanding this concept underscores the intrinsic value of ecosystems, as they directly contribute to human well-being and the health of the planet. The other choices, while relevant to environmental topics, do not encapsulate the definition of ecosystem services as effectively. For instance, a natural disaster prevention method might relate to ecosystem functions, but it isn’t a service provided directly by the ecosystem itself. Similarly, agricultural practices or measures of biodiversity, while important, do not specifically define the direct benefits that ecosystems contribute to human society.