Ecosystem services are the many benefits that humans receive from nature. These services can be grouped into four categories.

Provisioning services are things that we directly use, like food, water, and fiber. These include crops, fish, timber, fresh water, and medicinal plants.

Regulating services are processes that nature does to benefit us, like purifying air and water, climate regulation, and flood control. These services are often referred to as ”ecosystem infrastructure” because they provide similar benefits as human-made infrastructure like dams and water treatment plants.

Cultural services are the non-material benefits that people receive from nature. These include things like spiritual and religious connections to nature, enjoyment of wild landscapes, artistic inspiration, and scientific discoveries.

Supporting services are the basic ecological processes that are needed to provide all of the other services, like photosynthesis, soil formation, and nutrient cycling. Without these processes, the other services would not be possible.

Understanding ecosystem services is important for making decisions about how we use and manage natural resources. By recognizing and protecting these valuable benefits, we can better ensure a healthy, sustainable future for both people and the planet.