Ecosystem Services
purification of air and water
mitigation of droughts and floods
generation and preservation of soils and renewal of their fertility
detoxification and decomposition of wastes
pollination of crops and natural vegetation / dispersal of seeds
cycling and movement of nutrients
control of the vast majority of potential agricultural pests
maintenance of biodiversity
protection of coastal shores from erosion by waves
partial stabilization of climate / moderation of weather extremes
From: Ecosystem Services: Benefits Supplied to Human Societies by Natural Ecosystems. G.C. Daily et al. Issues in Ecology Report 4, Ecological Society of America
http://esa.sdsc.edu/issues.htm