gs1medium
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the following major categories of ecosystem services: provisioning, supporting, regulating, and cultural. Which one of the following is a supporting service?
- A.Production of food and water
- B.Control of climate and disease
- C.Nutrient cycling and crop pollination
- D.Maintenance of genetic diversity
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: C. Nutrient cycling and crop pollination
Supporting services are those necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services. They include processes like nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production, which underpin the availability of food, clean water, and other provisioning services. Crop pollination is also a critical supporting service as it enables plant reproduction and thus food production.
Source: UPSC gs1 2012