Coral reef fish provide the only source of protein for many people, and reef organisms are the source of many medicines.Because of their beauty, reefs are major tourist attractions.Because reefs can recycle and concentrate nutrients, rather than losing them to the open ocean, they can sustain large, diverse populations.Their structure protects shorelines from storms and erosion.These functions suggest that coral reefs provide which types of ecosystem services?
A) Provisioning and regulating only
B) Provisioning and supporting only
C) Provisioning, regulating, and supporting
D) Provisioning, regulating, and cultural
E) Provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Coral reefs offer provisioning services (source of protein and medicines), regulating services (recycling and concentrating nutrients), supporting services (sustaining diverse populations), and cultural services (tourism attractions), thus encompassing all four types of ecosystem services.

Coral Reef Fish Provide the Only Source of Protein for Many