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nature's contributions to people_2

Glossary

all the contributions, both positive and negative, of living nature (i.e., diversity of organisms, ecosystems, and their associated ecological and evolutionary processes) to the quality of life for people. Beneficial contributions from nature include such things as food provision, water purification, flood control, and artistic inspiration, whereas detrimental contributions include disease transmission and predation that damages people or their assets. Many nature’s contributions to people may be perceived as benefits or detriments depending on the cultural, temporal or spatial context.