Which is a benefit derived from effective ecosystem services?

Healthy ecosystems provide a myriad of services that contribute significantly to human well-being and environmental health, and one key benefit is the provision of clean water supplies from healthy watersheds. Watersheds are areas of land where all the water that falls as precipitation drains into a common water body, such as rivers, lakes, or oceans.

When ecosystem services function effectively, they help to filter pollutants, manage floodwaters, and maintain the overall quality of water. Healthy watersheds, which are characterized by diverse plant and animal life, healthy soils, and proper hydrological cycles, play a crucial role in maintaining clean drinking water. The natural vegetation in these areas can absorb rainwater, reduce surface runoff, and filter contaminants, leading to improved water quality. This is essential for both human use and aquatic ecosystems, as clear, clean water supports a wide range of biodiversity and enhances the resilience of the environment against climate change and pollution.

In contrast, the other options highlight practices or changes that can lead to degradation of ecosystems or do not contribute to the sustainable benefits offered by effective ecosystem services. Clear-cutting forests, for example, can harm biodiversity and disrupt water cycles, while increased urban development may lead to habitat loss and pollution, and the introduction of species for agricultural purposes can