The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the following major categories of ecosystem services -- provisioning, supporting, regulating, preserving and cultural. Which one of the following is a supporting service?

• (a) Production of food and water: This is a provisioning service because ecosystems directly supply goods like food and freshwater. Verdict: Incorrect.
• (b) Control of climate and disease: This is a regulating service since ecosystems regulate climate, pests and diseases. Verdict: Incorrect.
• (c) Nutrient cycling and crop pollination: Nutrient cycling is a classic supporting service in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment; pollination is often treated under regulating services, but this option is anchored by nutrient cycling. Verdict: Correct.
• (d) Maintenance of diversity: Biodiversity maintenance is not the standard label here; in the MEA framework, supporting services include soil formation, photosynthesis and nutrient cycling. Verdict: Incorrect.

Answer: (c)