The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the following major categories of ecosystem services—provisioning, supporting, regulating, preserving and cultural. Which one of the following is supporting service?
- AProduction of food and water
- BControl of climate and disease
- CNutrient cycling and crop pollinationCorrect
- DMaintenance of diversity
Explanation
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment classifies ecosystem services into four distinct categories.
Supporting services are those that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services. They have indirect or long term impacts on humans. Examples include nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production, and crop pollination. These processes maintain the conditions for life on Earth.
To clarify the other options: Production of food and water belongs to Provisioning services. Control of climate and disease belongs to Regulating services. Maintenance of diversity is often considered a subset of Supporting services or a component of overall ecosystem health, but Nutrient cycling and pollination are the definitive examples used by the Assessment to define this category.
Related questions
More UPSC Prelims practice from the same subject and topic.
- Prelims 2012GS1geography
If National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact the country? 1. Part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of wastewater. 2. The water re…
- Prelims 2012GS1geography
Consider the following statements: Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances, are used 1. in the production of plastic foams 2. in the production of tubeless tyres 3. in cleaning certai…
- Prelims 2012GS1geography
Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the su…
- Prelims 2012GS1geography
Government of India encourages the cultivation of 'sea buckthorn'. What is the importance of this plant? 1. It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification. 2. It is a rich sour…
- Prelims 2012GS1geography
With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements: 1. The country's total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other Sta…
- Prelims 2012GS1geography
The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern? 1. The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected. 2. The growth and survival of c…