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The UK National Ecosystem Assessment provided the first analysis of the UK’s natural environment in terms of the benefits it provides to society and our continuing economic prosperity.

Its findings indicate that ecosystems and ecosystem services, and the ways people benefit from them, have changed markedly in the past 60 years, driven by changes in society.

It also cites that the UK’s ecosystems are delivering some services well, but others are still in long-term decline.

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UK National Ecosystem Assessment follow on was published in 2014. It provided further analysis of the cultural and economic value of nature and developed a range of tools and methods to assist decision-makers wishing to apply an ecosystems approach.~
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ecosystems-services

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Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human well-being (TEEB D0). They support directly or indirectly our survival and quality of life.

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Supporting services - services necessary for the production of other ecosystem services - photosynthesis, nutrient and water cycling etc

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The benefits nature provides are classed in three broad groups:

Provisioning services are those that provide tangible, harvestable goods—fish, shellfish and seaweed for food, but also mangroves timber, algae, minerals and health products.

Regulating services are the benefits ecosystems play in regulating our environment—coastal protection, prevention of erosion, water purification and carbon storage.

Finally, cultural services are the many non-material benefits derived from nature—recreation, beauty, as well as spiritual, intellectual and cultural benefits.

http://oceanwealth.org/ecosystem-services/

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Water purification by ecosystems has a high importance for Europe, because of the heavy pressure on water from a relatively densely populated region. Both vegetation and soil organisms have profound impacts on water movements: vegetation is a major factor in controlling floods, water flows and quality; vegetation cover in upstream watersheds can affect quantity, quality and variability of water supply; soil micro-organisms are important in water purification; and soil invertebrates influence soil structure, decreasing surface runoff. Forests, wetlands and protected areas with dedicated management actions often provide clean water at a much lower cost than man-made substitutes like water treatment plants.

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provisioning services

regulating services

supporting services

cultural services

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http://www.sanbi.org/biodiversity-science/state-biodiversity/applied-biodiversity-research/ecosystem-services

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Use of Nile for services such as fresh water for locals, fishing, irrigation systems, dams for hydropower , and transport for goods down/across the river.

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http://projects.worldbank.org/P133803?lang=en