Part 3 Specific ecosystems services exist within each category, as identified in the following table. Table 1 - List of 23 Ecosystem Services
Provisioning
Good/Service
Economic Benefit to People
Water Supply
Water for human consumption, irrigation and industrial use.
Food
Food for human consumption.
Fiber and Fuel
Biological materials used for clothes, fuel, art and building. Geological materials used for energy, construction or other purposes.
Medicinal Resources
Biological materials used for medicines.
Ornamental Resources
Ornamental and companion uses (flowers, plants, pets, and other).
Gas Regulation
Generation of atmospheric oxygen, regulation of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen carbon dioxide and other gaseous atmospheric components.
Climate Regulation
Regulation of global and local temperature, climate, and weather,
Regulating
including evapotranspiration, cloud formation, and rainfall. Disturbance Prevention
Protection from floods, storms, and drought.
Soil Retention
Erosion protection provided by plant roots and tree cover.
Water Regulation
Water absorption during rains and release in dry times, temperature and flow regulation for people, plants and animals.
Biological Control
Natural control of diseases and pest species.
Water Quality and Waste Treatment
Absorption of organic waste, natural water filtration, pollution reduction.
Soil Formation
Formation of sand and soil from decaying vegetation and erosion.
Pollination
Fertilization of plants and crops through natural systems.
Nutrient Regulation
Transfer of nutrients from one place to another; transformation of
Habitat
critical nutrients from unusable to usable forms. Habitat and Biodiversity
Providing habitat for plants and animals and their full diversity.
Primary Productivity
Growth by plants provides basis for all terrestrial and most marine food chains.
Aesthetic Information
The role which natural beauty plays in attracting people to live, work
Information
and recreate in an area. Recreation and Tourism
The contribution of ecosystems and environments in attracting people to engage in recreational activities.
Scientific Knowledge
The value of natural systems for scientific research.
Educational Value
The value of natural systems for education.
Spiritual and Religious Experience
The use of nature for religious and spiritual purposes.
Cultural and Artistic Information
The value of nature for cultural purposes.
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Adapted from de Groot et al., 2002
The Puyallup River Watershed: An Ecological Economic Characterization