Ecosystem Benefits
Changes in human well-being or welfare that result from the consumption or use of goods and services or from knowing something exists. These are generally classed as:
- Provisioning services - the provision of products from nature such as food, water and raw materials.
- Regulating Services - moderation of natural phenomena, for example, sequestering carbon, removing pollutants from the air, regulating water flows.
- Cultural Services - non-material, experiential benefits provided through interaction with nature, for example, recreation, tourism or aesthetic experiences.
- Supporting Services - cross cutting services which underpin the production of all other ecosystem services, for example, soil formation, nutrient cycling, provision of habitat, seed dispersal.
