Editing Protected area (section)

== Protection of ecosystem services ==
Along with providing important stocks of natural resources, protected areas are often major sources of vital [[ecosystem service]]s, unbeknownst to human society.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Benetti |first1=Stefania |last2=Langemeyer |first2=Johannes |title=Ecosystem services and justice of protected areas: the case of Circeo National Park, Italy |journal=Ecosystems and People (Abingdon, England) |year=2021 |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=411–431 |doi=10.1080/26395916.2021.1946155 |issn=2639-5908 |pmc=8315210 |pmid=34382004|bibcode=2021EcoPe..17..411B}}</ref> Although biodiversity is usually the main reason for constructing protected areas, the protection of [[biodiversity]] also protects the ecosystem services society enjoys.<ref name="SP">{{Cite journal |last1=Xu |first1=Weihua |last2=Xiao |first2=Yi |last3=Zhang |first3=Jingjing |last4=Yang |first4=Wu |last5=Zhang |first5=Lu |last6=Hull |first6=Vanessa |last7=Wang |first7=Zhi |last8=Zheng |first8=Hua|author9-link=Jianguo Liu |last9=Liu |first9=Jianguo |last10=Polasky |first10=Stephen |last11=Jiang |first11=Ling |date=14 February 2017 |title=Strengthening protected areas for biodiversity and ecosystem services in China |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |language=en |volume=114 |issue=7 |pages=1601–1606 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1620503114 |issn=0027-8424 |pmc=5321011 |pmid=28137858|bibcode=2017PNAS..114.1601X |doi-access=free}}</ref> Some ecosystem services include those that provide and regulate resources, support natural processes, or represent culture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ecosystem Services |url=https://www.nwf.org/Home/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Understanding-Conservation/Ecosystem-Services |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=National Wildlife Federation |language=en}}</ref> Provisioning services provide resources to humanity, such as fuel and water, while regulating services include [[carbon sequestration]], climate regulation, and protection against disease.<ref name="ES">{{Cite web |title=More About Ecosystem Services |url=https://www.fs.fed.us/ecosystemservices/About_ES/ |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=www.fs.fed.us}}</ref> Supporting ecosystem services include [[Nutrient cycle|nutrient cycling]], while cultural services are a source of aesthetic and cultural value for tourism and heritage.<ref name="ES" /> Such services are often overlooked by humanity, due to the ecosystem from which they originate being far from urbanized areas. The contamination of ecosystem services within a designated area ultimately degrades their use for society. For example, the protection of a water body inherently protects that water body's microorganisms and their ability to adequately filter pollutants and pathogens, ultimately protecting water quality itself.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Protecting ecosystems brings benefits to society |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120917132148.htm |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=ScienceDaily |language=en}}</ref> Therefore, the implementation of protected areas is vital to maintaining the quality and consistency of ecosystem services, ultimately allowing human society to function without the interference of human infrastructure or policies.