All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What are the four main categories of ecosystem services?
Answer: Provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services. This framework helps classify all ecosystem benefits to humans.
Flashcard 2: Which ecosystem service category includes food, fresh water, and timber?
Answer: Provisioning services. These are products directly obtained from ecosystems.
Flashcard 3: What is an ecosystem service?
Answer: A benefit people obtain from ecosystems that supports human well-being. These services are essential for human survival and quality of life.
Flashcard 4: Which ecosystem service category includes flood control and climate regulation?
Answer: Regulating services. These services help maintain environmental balance and stability.
Flashcard 5: Which ecosystem service category includes nutrient cycling and soil formation?
Answer: Supporting services. These are essential processes that enable all other services.
Flashcard 6: Which ecosystem service category includes recreation, tourism, and aesthetic value?
Answer: Cultural services. These are non-material benefits that enrich human experiences.
Flashcard 7: What is erosion control by plant roots most directly classified as?
Answer: Regulating service. Plants regulate soil stability and prevent land degradation.
Flashcard 8: What is carbon storage by forests most directly classified as?
Answer: Regulating service. Forests regulate climate by storing atmospheric carbon.
Flashcard 9: What is decomposition of dead organisms most directly classified as?
Answer: Supporting service. Decomposition supports nutrient availability for all life.
Flashcard 10: What is nitrogen fixation by bacteria most directly classified as?
Answer: Supporting service. This process supports plant growth by making nitrogen available.
Flashcard 11: What is soil formation over time most directly classified as?
Answer: Supporting service. Soil formation supports all terrestrial ecosystem functions.
Flashcard 12: What is seafood harvested from oceans most directly classified as?
Answer: Provisioning service. Oceans provide food products directly to humans.
Flashcard 13: What is medicinal compound production by plants most directly classified as?
Answer: Provisioning service. Plants provide compounds used in medicines and treatments.
Flashcard 14: Identify the ecosystem service: Bees pollinate crops, increasing fruit production.
Answer: Regulating service (pollination). Bees regulate crop reproduction through pollen transfer.
Flashcard 15: Identify the ecosystem service: A wetland filters runoff, improving downstream water quality.
Answer: Regulating service (water purification). Wetlands regulate water quality through natural filtration.
Flashcard 16: Identify the ecosystem service: Mangroves reduce storm surge and protect coastal homes.
Answer: Regulating service (coastal protection). Mangroves regulate wave energy and protect shorelines.
Flashcard 17: Identify the ecosystem service: A forest trail provides recreation and mental health benefits.
Answer: Cultural service (recreation). Natural areas provide non-material benefits for well-being.
Flashcard 18: Identify the ecosystem service: Decomposers recycle nutrients that support plant growth.
Answer: Supporting service (nutrient cycling). Decomposers support ecosystem productivity through recycling.
Flashcard 19: Identify the ecosystem service provided when wetlands reduce flooding by storing stormwater.
Answer: Flood regulation (regulating service). Wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing excess water.
Flashcard 20: Identify the ecosystem service provided when a forest provides wood used for building materials.
Answer: Timber/wood supply (provisioning service). Forests provide a harvestable product for human use.
Flashcard 21: Identify the ecosystem service provided when a river supplies drinking water for a town.
Answer: Freshwater supply (provisioning service). Rivers provide a tangible resource people can collect.
Flashcard 22: Identify the ecosystem service provided when people fish in a lake for food.
Answer: Food provision (provisioning service). Lakes provide harvestable fish as a tangible resource.
Flashcard 23: Identify the ecosystem service provided when a natural area is used for hiking and outdoor recreation.
Answer: Recreation (cultural service). Nature provides non-material enjoyment and well-being.
Flashcard 24: What term describes the variety of life in an area that helps ecosystems stay stable and resilient?
Answer: Biodiversity. Variety of species ensures ecosystem health and function.
Flashcard 25: Which type of ecosystem service is most directly harmed when habitat loss reduces biodiversity?
Answer: Supporting services. Biodiversity loss disrupts basic ecosystem processes.
Flashcard 26: Which ecosystem service is most directly reduced when insect populations decline and crops set fewer fruits?
Answer: Pollination (regulating service). Fewer pollinators means reduced crop yields.
Flashcard 27: Identify the ecosystem service provided when ecosystems naturally filter pollutants from water.
Answer: Water purification (regulating service). Natural filtration removes harmful substances from water.
Flashcard 28: Identify the ecosystem service provided when algae and plants produce organic matter that supports food webs.
Answer: Primary production (supporting service). This forms the base of all food chains and ecosystems.
Flashcard 29: Identify the ecosystem service provided when decomposers break down dead matter and return nutrients to soil.
Answer: Nutrient cycling (supporting service). This recycling maintains soil fertility for plant growth.
Flashcard 30: Identify the ecosystem service provided when plant roots hold soil in place and reduce erosion.
Answer: Erosion control (regulating service). Roots stabilize soil, preventing loss of fertile topsoil.