What are provisioning services?

• A. Material products obtained from ecosystems
• B. Non-material benefits from ecosystems
• C. Regulation of ecosystem processes
• D. Cultural or recreational values

Answer: (A)

Provisioning services are the tangible, material goods that ecosystems provide for people to use directly. Think of items like food (fish, fruits, nuts), water, timber, fiber, medicines, and genetic resources that can be harvested or extracted. These are physical products obtained from nature, unlike non-material benefits (such as cultural, recreational, or aesthetic values) or regulatory services (like climate regulation or flood control). That direct, usable quality is what defines provisioning services.