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What are the four components of ecosystem services as described by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment?

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Final answer:

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment identifies four types of ecosystem services: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services which are crucial for the sustainability of life on Earth.

Step-by-step explanation:

The four components of ecosystem services as described by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) are provisioning services, regulating services, cultural services, and supporting services. Provisioning services include the supply of products such as food, water, and raw materials.

Regulating services involve control of climate and disease, purification of water and air, and pollination of crops. Cultural services represent the non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems including recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, and spiritual fulfillment.

Finally, supporting services are those that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services, including nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production.