What is a common service provided by ecosystems?

Pollination of plants is a vital service provided by ecosystems, significantly contributing to the reproductive processes of many flowering plants. This service is crucial for the production of fruits and seeds, supporting both biodiversity and agricultural systems. Many animal species, including bees, butterflies, and birds, facilitate this natural process by transferring pollen from one flower to another. The health of entire ecosystems, and particularly agricultural outputs, relies on effective pollination, making it an indispensable ecological service that underpins food production and natural plant communities.

Artificial habitat creation, manufacturing of consumer goods, and urban development planning do not represent services provided by ecosystems. Instead, they are human-driven activities and interventions that often rely on the natural resources and services that ecosystems provide. While these activities can affect ecosystems, they do not fall under the definition of natural ecosystem services, which emphasize the inherent processes and benefits supplied by nature.