Which are examples of regulating services?

• A. Air quality, water quality, climate, natural hazards, & soil development
• B. Food production
• C. Tourism
• D. Genetic diversity preservation

Answer: (A)

Regulating services are the ways ecosystems modulate environmental conditions to keep systems stable and functioning. The items described—air quality regulation, water quality regulation, climate regulation, natural hazard regulation, and soil formation/development—fit this because they actively control or buffer key environmental processes. Plants and soils filter pollutants, helping clean air and water; vegetation stores carbon and influences temperatures, contributing to climate regulation; landscapes and soils help absorb and slow floodwaters, reducing natural hazard impacts; and ongoing soil development supports nutrient cycling and soil health, maintaining productive ecosystems. In contrast, food production is a provisioning service (tangible goods), tourism is a cultural service (recreation and inspiration), and genetic diversity preservation relates to biodiversity and resilience but is not a regulating process itself.