Forestry glossary

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services (ES) are the services produced by living and non-living components of ecosystems that contribute or benefit human society and well-being. They are typically divided into four categories: provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting.

- Provisioning ecosystem services result in material goods (e.g., wood and food).
- Regulating ecosystem services support habitable conditions (e.g., carbon storage and flood control).
- Cultural ecosystem services contribute to non-material benefits (e.g., recreation and aesthetic values).
- Supporting ecosystem services underpin the other three categories (e.g., soil creation and nutrient cycling).