Civilization depends on life-support services that natural ecosystems perform, including regulating climate, mitigating floods and drought, protecting shorelines from erosion, purifying air and water, detoxifying and decomposing wastes, and pollinating crops and natural vegetation. Studies conducted by the USGS Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Ecosystems Program focus on understanding the factors which control ecosystem structure, function, condition, and the provision of goods and services.

Information from Ecosystem research guides the design and evaluation of scientifically based strategies to manage and restore ecosystems and landscapes. Investigations evaluate the consequences of short and long term environmental changes, including how human activities modify ecosystems, and predict how modified ecosystems can be restored and managed. Activities include the investigation of ecosystem vulnerability to adverse changes and the development of ways to mitigate negative effects.