UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 51
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the following major categories of ecosystem services-provisioning, supporting, regulating, preserving and cultural. Which one of the following is supporting service?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: The exam identifies nutrient cycling and crop pollination with ecological functions underpinning ecosystem productivity, choosing option C.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - Food and water supply are provisioning services.
B: Incorrect - Climate and disease control are regulating services.
C: Correct - Correct per supplied key: nutrient cycling is a supporting service; pollination is commonly grouped under regulating services.
D: Incorrect - Maintaining biodiversity supports ecosystem functioning, but is not the keyed paired example.
Review Note: The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment conventionally classifies pollination as a regulating service; the source option C mixes categories.