Final answer:
Ecosystem services of biodiversity encompass soil erosion prevention, water purification, maintenance of the atmosphere, and nitrogen fixation, all of which are crucial for environmental health and human welfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ecosystem services of biodiversity include a variety of processes that maintain and support the environment around us. Selecting all that apply, we can identify the following as ecosystem services:
- Preventing soil erosion: Plants help prevent soil erosion, and also improve soil quality when they decompose.
- Purifying water in rivers and lakes: Microorganisms play a crucial role in purifying water by breaking down waste materials and hence keeping water systems clean.
- Maintaining the atmosphere by plants and algae: Through photosynthesis, they are essential in generating oxygen and consuming carbon dioxide.
- Nitrogen fixation: Bacteria in the soil fix nitrogen, making it available to plants, which is essential for plant growth and sustaining agricultural productivity.
These services are invaluable not just for the ecological balance but also for the welfare of human societies. For example, natural predators control insect pests, reducing the need for pesticides and supporting agriculture sustainability.