Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service provided by forests?

Water purification through natural filtration is indeed an excellent example of an ecosystem service provided by forests. Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from natural ecosystems, and forests play a crucial role in maintaining healthy environments.

Forests contribute to water purification by filtering pollutants and sediments from water as it flows through the soil and vegetation. The roots of trees and plants help to stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and reducing runoff that can carry harmful substances into water sources. Additionally, forest ecosystems are home to diverse bacteria and microorganisms that can break down pollutants, improving water quality before it reaches rivers, lakes, and aquifers.

While carbon emissions reduction is an important environmental benefit of forests, it is more about climate regulation than a direct ecosystem service. Debt relief for local communities is not related to natural processes or the intrinsic benefits provided by the ecosystem itself. Promotion of tourism does relate to forests but is more of an economic benefit that arises from their existence rather than a direct ecological service. In contrast, water purification is a fundamental functional benefit that directly impacts both the ecosystem and human health.