Carrier Function
Provides space and suitable substrate for:
1. Human habitation and settlement
2. Cultivation (Crop growing, animal husbandry, aquaculture)
3. Economic activities (Energy production. industry, tourism)
4. Public activities (Transport, water supply, electricity)
5. Social activities (Recreation)
6. Nature conservation and protection
Production Function (Direct use value)
Provides renewable and non-renewable resources such as:
1. Oxygen
2. Water
3. Food and nutritious drinks
4. Genetic resources
5. Medicinal resources
6. Raw materials for private use
7. Aggregates and raw materials for construction and industry
8. Biochemicals
9. Fuel, gas, wood other sources of energy
10. Fodder and fertiliser
11. Ornamental resources
Regulation function (Indirect use value)
Regulates the following processes:
1. Inflow of harmful cosmic influences
2. Local and global climate
3. Local and global energy balance
4. Runoff and related processes in the river basin
5. Groundwater recharge
6. Composition and fertility of topsoil
7. Catchment erosion and sediment transport
8. Coastal erosion
9. Storage of energy through biomass production
10. Storage end recycling of organic matter
11. Storage and recycling of nutrients
12. Storage and recycling of human waste
13. Biological control mechanisms within food web
14. Protection and conservation of nursery habitats
15. Preservation of biological and generic diversity
16. Chemical composition of the atmosphere
17. Chemical composition of the hydrosphere
Information function (Existence value)
Provides information on the following non-monetary values:
1. Aesthetic and scenic values
2. Spiritual and religious values
3. Cultural and artistic values
4. Historic (heritage) values
5. Scientific and educational values
