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1. Provides food on land and sea.
2. Purifies water: forests and watersheds filter out excess nitrogen and contaminating bacteria from human waste.
3. Regulates disease by ensuring proper nutrient, oxygen and pH levels to prevent algal blooms. When we eat shellfish, we often consume poisonous toxins from these algal blooms.
4. Sustains many industries, like agriculture, timber, tourism, and real estate that depend on a balanced natural environment.
5. Provides raw materials for medicines, buildings and fuel.
6. Regulates climate to prevent extreme temperatures.
7. Regulates floods by stabilizing shorelines and trapping sediments.
8. Diminishes storm damage to properties by absorbing wave energy and flood waters.
9. Facilitates carbon sequestration through marine surfaces and through photosynthesis by phytoplankton.
10. Increases values of homes with scenic views.
11. Provides reflective and spiritual space.
12. Provides educational opportunities that draw in research institutions. These institutions contribute to society both economically and socially.
13. Provides scenic recreational opportunities. Clean water and thriving marine animals attract kayakers and scuba divers.
14. Maintains a diversity of plant and animal species, which increases ecosystem resilience so it can continue to provide all of these services.
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