Final answer:
Pest control by predators is an ecosystem service that naturally provides what pesticides aim to accomplish: managing pests to aid in food production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ecosystem service that performs the same function as a pesticide is c) Pest control by predators. This service contributes significantly to food production by naturally managing pest populations that can damage crops. Predators in an environment, such as birds, ladybugs, and spiders, consume plant-eating insects, thereby reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
This natural form of pest management is beneficial for maintaining drinking water availability and ensuring breathable air by minimizing pollution caused by pesticide runoff and reducing the risk of harm to non-target species, including beneficial pollinators like bees.
By doing so, they help regulate the number of pests, preventing them from causing damage to crops or other plants. Studies have shown that a diverse ecosystem with a variety of natural predators can effectively suppress pest populations and increase crop yields.