OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an example of an ecosystem service?

1. Fertile soil

2. Fresh water

3. Expensive technology

4. Pollination

The correct answer is: Expensive technology

The answer is correct because ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from natural ecosystems, and they include processes and features that contribute to environmental health and human well-being. Fertile soil is essential for agriculture, fresh water is critical for hydration and sanitation, and pollination plays a vital role in the reproduction of many plants, which is essential for food production. In contrast, expensive technology does not fall under the category of ecosystem services. While technology can augment or enhance the benefits derived from nature, it is not a natural process or feature of the ecosystem itself. Instead, it is a human-made option that relies on various resources, some of which may even be ecosystem services, but the technology itself does not provide a direct benefit derived from the natural environment.