| Program | Ecosystem Services | Processes/Reasons | |
| Grassland Set-aside Stewardship Program | Water retention | Increase in water holding capacity | |
| Drainage | Increase in soil macropores; the roots of grasses, especially clover, can bore channels through compacted soil | ||
| Soil microbial activity, macro invertebrates | Increase in aeration | ||
| Nutrient retention | Replenish soil organic matter | ||
| Nitrogen Fixation | Plant cover that may decrease use of fertilizers | ||
| Winter Cover Crop Stewardship Program | Prevent rain-induced soil erosion | Increase soil porosity and break up compaction by the roots | |
| Nutrient retention | Cereal cover crops scavenge nutrients from leaching along with the heavy winter rains | ||
| Nitrogen fixation | Plant clover cover that may decrease use of fertilizers | ||
| Reduction in chemical controls | Cover crops can shade weeds and some release allelopathic compounds that inhibit weed growth | ||