Which capability is essential for a map service if a user needs to interactively edit map features?

The ability for users to interactively edit map features relies specifically on the feature editing capability of a map service. This functionality allows users to add, modify, or delete geographical features directly on the map, enabling dynamic interactions with the spatial data.

Feature editing is critical in scenarios where users not only need to view data but also require the ability to alter it, such as in planning applications, real-time data updates, or collaborative mapping efforts. This distinguishes it from other capabilities like map navigation, which focuses on moving around a map; image display, which pertains to showing raster images without the ability to edit; and data visualization, which involves representing data graphically but does not necessarily allow for modification of the data itself.

Thus, the feature editing capability is what directly supports the need for interactive editing of map features, making it the essential component in this context.