Chapter 4 Vocabulary

6. Ecosystem functions necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services.
7. Natural resources and environmental systems humans use but cannot create.
8. The responsibility humans have to protect and manage environmental systems.
10. Human physical and mental work, including knowledge and skills.
12. Study of how people use resources to produce goods and services and distribute them; the allocation process deciding how resources are used.
14. Costs that affect others but are not included in the product price.
15. Benefits humans receive from natural ecosystems.
16. The process by which plants and trees absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO₂).
17. Materials and energy obtained from ecosystems.
19. Resources naturally regenerated within human lifespans if use remains within regeneration limits.
21. Human-made tools, machinery, and technology used for production.
22. Non-material benefits humans receive from ecosystems.

1. Resources that are replaced extremely slowly or not at all within human lifespans.
2. The ability to use resources long-term without causing environmental damage.
3. Environmental damage that produces future consequences, where benefits occur now but costs occur later.
4. Loss of environmental benefits when choosing one development or action over another.
5. The amount consumers are willing and able to buy at a given price.
9. Monetary value reflecting availability and demand strength.
11. Environmental regulation processes provided by ecosystems.
13. The amount producers are willing to sell at a given price.
15. Environmental damage resulting from resource exploitation that is difficult to assign monetary value.
18. Any available supply that can be used.
20. Occurs when demand exceeds supply.