Which of the following is/are the function(s) of environment ? 1. Supplying resources 2. Sustaining life 3. Providing aesthetic services Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The environment performs several critical functions essential for human survival and economic activity. First, it supplies resources (provisioning services) such as food, timber, fibers, and medicinal plants [4]. Second, it sustains life through fundamental life-support services, including the purification of air and water, nutrient cycling, and the provision of essential gases like oxygen [4]. Third, the environment provides aesthetic and cultural services, which include non-material benefits like spiritual enrichment, recreation, and the appreciation of natural beauty [2]. These functions are often categorized into provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services [4]. Together, these processes maintain biodiversity and support human well-being by providing both tangible goods and intangible psychological or aesthetic value [5]. Therefore, all three listed functions—supplying resources, sustaining life, and providing aesthetic services—are core functions of the environment.

Sources

1. [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 12: How Nature Works in Harmony > 12.9 What Are the Benefits of an Ecosystem? > p. 203
2. [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem_service
3. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Natural Resources and Their Use > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 7
4. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > marine (sea/ocean) ecosystem > p. 28
5. [5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3393065/