Which ecosystem service is explicitly linked to forests?

• A. Aesthetic value of scenery.
• B. Regulation of water cycle and soil formation.
• C. Biodiversity support and carbon storage.
• D. Short-term economic gain for timber exploitation exclusively.

Answer: (C)

Forests provide many benefits that people rely on, including how they support life and regulate the climate. The most explicit services tied to forests are biodiversity support and carbon storage. Biodiversity support means forests host a wide variety of plants and animals, maintaining species richness and ecological interactions that keep ecosystems functioning and resilient. Carbon storage comes from the large amount of carbon locked away in trees and soil; forests help moderate atmospheric CO2 and thus influence climate. When forests are healthy, they act as important carbon sinks and safe havens for countless species. Other options describe real benefits forests provide, but they’re either broader cultural values or general ecosystem functions not as uniquely tied to forests, and one choice describes a use rather than an ecosystem service.