Table 1 Classification of ecosystem services relevant in Germany according to CICES (slightly modified after Albert et al. [15])
Regulation and maintenance services | ||
 Mass movement regulation | Resistance to (solid) mass movement | Stabilization of solid masses (soil, sand, snow, etc.), regulation of soil erosion |
Regulation of water balance and runoff | Flood protection | |
Groundwater recharge/drinking water supply | ||
Groundwater protection/assurance of drinking water quality | ||
 Maintenance of physical, chemical and biological conditions | Habitat function | Self-regulation and self-organization of ecosystems |
Buffering of foreign matter inputs | Contribution to global climate regulation | |
Contribution to global climate regulation | Carbon storage function | |
Improvement of air quality and climate regulation | Regulation of micro, local and regional climate | |
Utility services | ||
 Food | Plant and animal food production | Crops and products |
 Raw materials | Production of plant and animal raw materials | Plant and animal raw materials |
 Energy | Production of energetically usable biomass | Vegetable energy raw materials |
Cultural achievements | ||
 Physical and cognitive experience of living beings, landscape spaces and landscapes | Recreational function—physical and experiential experiences | Nature experience and recreation |
Cognitive and emotional interaction | Sensation of aesthetics, nature education, natural heritage | |
 Symbolic meaning of living beings, landscape spaces and landscapes | Symbolic meaning, other cultural achievements | Cultural heritage, legacy to future generations |