FAQs and Glossary

Changes in human well-being or welfare that result from the consumption or use of goods and services or from knowing something exists. These are generally classed as:

• Provisioning services - the provision of products from nature such as food, water and raw materials.
• Regulating Services - moderation of natural phenomena, for example, sequestering carbon, removing pollutants from the air, regulating water flows.
• Cultural Services - non-material, experiential benefits provided through interaction with nature, for example, recreation, tourism or aesthetic experiences.
• Supporting Services - cross cutting services which underpin the production of all other ecosystem services, for example, soil formation, nutrient cycling, provision of habitat, seed dispersal.