ABSTRACT
Supporting services refer to processes that underpin and drive the functioning of ecosystems (nutrient and biogeochemical cycles, soil formation, primary production, etc.) and support species lifecycles (seed dispersal and species interactions) (Table 9.1). They also include the maintenance and evolution of biodiversity from the genetic to the ecosystem level. These diverse processes, interrelations and interactions form the basis for well-functioning ecosystems, helping to ensure their stability and resilience in a changing world. Supporting services and examples of how they underpin other ecosystem services, supporting socio-economic well-being https://www.niso.org/standards/z39-96/ns/oasis-exchange/table">
Ecosystem service
Examples of benefits
Nutrient cycling
Nitrogen deposits, influencing water purification and waste treatment
Soil formation
Soil properties, components and processes (nutrient status and pH, etc.) influencing, for example, food production, regulation of soil erosion, nutrient and water cycling
Photosynthesis
Primary production and plants’ physio-ecological traits influencing, for example, food and fibre production and carbon storage
Biogeochemical cycles
Water availability influencing, for example, water supply and water regulation
Stability and resilience of ecosystems (maintenance of)
Capacity to recover from disturbances and natural hazards influencing, for example, the quality and quantity of resources, capacity to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards and support the adaptation to climate change
Seed dispersal
Securing species reproduction influencing, for example, food production/security and the existence of culturally important species
Species interactions between trophic levels (maintenance and control of)
Population control by predation or competition influencing, for example, the maintenance of biological control and food production/security
Genetic diversity (maintenance of)
Availability of genetic resources influencing, for example, bioprospecting and agro-biodiversity and supporting pharmaceutical industry and food security
Species diversity (maintenance of)
Species existence influencing food and fibre production, cultural services and the overall ecosystem functioning and resilience
Habitats diversity (maintenance of)
Habitat existence influencing food and fibre production, cultural services, species viability and overall ecosystem functioning and resilience
Unknown/identified ecological processes (maintenance of)
Beneficial processes that are currently not fully understood
Source: own presentation, based on MA (2005), UK NEA (2011), Kettunen et al. (2013), Balmford et al. (2008)