How are ecosystem services defined?

Ecosystem services are fundamentally defined as the benefits that ecosystems provide to human beings. These services encompass a wide range of functions and benefits that ecosystems deliver, including provisioning services like food and water, regulating services such as climate regulation, supporting services like nutrient cycling, and cultural services that provide recreational and spiritual benefits. This definition emphasizes the vital relationship between ecosystems and human well-being, highlighting how healthy ecosystems are essential for sustainability and quality of life.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the positive contributions of ecosystems. Processes that impair ecosystems but benefit wildlife indicate a negative interaction that does not capture the essence of how ecosystems benefit humans. Similarly, interactions that reduce biodiversity point to detrimental effects rather than the beneficial services ecosystems offer. Lastly, restricting the definition to only the resources harvested from ecosystems overlooks many essential services that contribute to their overall health and our welfare. Therefore, option A captures the comprehensive and beneficial role of ecosystems in relation to human life.