Which of the following is a provisioning service?

Provisioning services refer to the products obtained from ecosystems, which provide tangible benefits to humans. Food is a classic example of a provisioning service because it is a direct physiological need and is harvested from various ecosystems. This includes not only the fruits and vegetables grown in agricultural systems but also fish from oceans and rivers, livestock from farms, and other edible resources derived from the natural environment.

The other options represent different types of ecosystem services. For instance, pollination is a critical ecosystem service that supports the reproduction of many plants, but it does not directly provide a product like food does. Carbon sequestration is an essential ecological function that involves storing carbon to mitigate climate change but is also not a consumable product in itself. Recreation pertains to the enjoyment and use of natural environments for leisure activities, which enriches human experience but does not result in direct products that can be extracted or consumed. Thus, food stands out clearly as the correct answer, highlighting its role as a vital provisioning service.