Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect benefits that people obtain from the world's various ecosystems, which contribute to human well-being and support economic and social development. Ecosystem services can be broadly categorised into four types: provisioning services, such as the production of food, water, and timber; regulating services, such as flood control, climate regulation, and pest and disease control; cultural services, such as recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits; and supporting services, such as nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production. The concept of ecosystem services emphasises the importance of conserving and managing ecosystems in a sustainable manner in order to ensure the continued provision of these benefits in promoting human and ecological well-being.