What are ecosystem services?

Ecosystem services are the benefits provided by natural ecosystems that support and enhance human life. These services include a wide range of functions such as clean air and water, pollination of crops, climate regulation, and nutrient cycling, all of which are essential for human survival and well-being. The focus on ecosystems is important because they offer services that cannot be easily replicated by human-made systems. This perspective emphasizes the vital role that healthy ecosystems play in sustaining life, promoting biodiversity, and providing economic benefits through resources such as food, medicine, and tourism. Understanding ecosystem services allows individuals and communities to recognize the intrinsic value of nature and the importance of conserving and protecting natural environments.