Loss of biodiversity causes loss of: (A) Provisioning services (B) Regulating services (C) Cultural services (D) Supporting services
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

Explanation:
Biodiversity is crucial for the functioning of ecosystems and provides a wide range of ecosystem services. When biodiversity is lost, all categories of ecosystem services are adversely affected:
· (A) Provisioning services: Include food, water, timber, and medicinal resources. Biodiversity directly contributes to these.
· (B) Regulating services: Such as climate regulation, pollination, disease control, and water purification depend on diverse biological systems.
· (C) Cultural services: Spiritual, recreational, aesthetic, and educational values are often tied to nature and biodiversity.
· (D) Supporting services: Include nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production — all foundational processes supported by biodiversity.
Information Booster:
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) classified ecosystem services into four major categories: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting.
· Loss of biodiversity disrupts ecosystem balance, affecting human health, food security, and climate stability.
· Biodiversity underpins resilience in ecosystems, allowing them to recover from disturbances and maintain functionality.