Ecosystem services are the benefits mankind receives from a multitude of resources and processes that are supplied by natural ecosystems. The UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2004) grouped ecosystem services into four categories: provisioning, such as the production of food, water, pharmaceuticals and energy; regulating, such as the control of climate and disease or the purification of air and water; support-ing, such as nutrient cycles and crop pollination; and cultural, such as spiritual and recreational benefits.