Question

Below is a list of examples of benefits that ecosystems provide to people. Match each benefit with the correct category of ecosystem services.

A. Regulating services

B. Provisioning services

C. Supporting services

D. Cultural services

selectABCD	1. Before Europeans came, Michigan had a large area of old growth beech-maple forest near its southern border. Except for a small area where the loggers ate lunch, the entire beech-maple forest ecosystem was logged in the 1800’s. Only the loggers’ picnic area remains as a small remnant (~300 acres) of the great beech-maple forest. That remnant is now called Warren Woods. The ancient beech trees in Warren Woods are about 125 feet tall. The soil is rich, and the ground is covered with colorful wildflowers. For many years, a sign at the entrance stated, “Welcome to the forest primeval.” People come to experience walking through an ancient forest that feels like a cathedral.
selectABCD	2. Since about 3 billion years ago, miniscule aquatic bacteria have been performing photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. They and their descendants, called chloroplasts, which live inside the cells of algae and land plants, produced, and continue to produce, nearly all the oxygen in our atmosphere. They also capture carbon from the atmosphere and incorporate it into carbohydrates, fats, oils, protein, and other types of food. All the carbon in all of our foods came to us by way of these photosynthetic bacteria and their descendants.
selectABCD	3. The dead remains of leaves, insects, worms, and other organisms contain thousands of different kinds of organic (carbon-containing) and inorganic chemicals. Plants are unable to use these chemicals until the dead remains are chemically transformed during the decay process. Decay is carried out by various types of fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Without the chemical transformations that take place during the decay process, living plants would quickly use up all the available nutrients in the soil and die. Without decay, there would be no plants. Without plants, there would be no animals.
selectABCD	4. Large lakes are fed by incoming streams. When the forest is intact, the streams are deep and the water is cold and clear. Fish and other animals do better in cold water because cold water can hold more oxygen. The presence of the lake also causes a moderation in the air temperature near the lake.

Answer 1

Dear Student,

Below I have listed the combination for the given question.

1.D

Reason: Cultural ecosystem services are services that do not offer any direct materialistic benifits, rather they provide Spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreation and aesthetics. Here, the Europeans added to the features of Michigan maple forest, hence it is a cultural service.

2.C

Reason: Supporting ecosystem services are ones which provide services that are necessary for the existence of all other ecosystem services. Here,oxygen produced supports all the other ecosystem on earth, hence this option is chosen.

3.A

Reason: Regulating ecosystem services are ones which help restore and renew the natural resources. Here the decay of various organic substances renders the nutrients back in the soil, hence it is a regulating service.

4.B

Reason: Provisioning ecosystem services are ones that give certain valuable products to the ecosystem. Here, fresh water is provided to the ecosystem, hence it is a provisioning service ecosystem.

Thank You,

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