Putting a dollar value on nature, ecosystems to try to sustain them

A new article on efforts to quantify the value of nature's services to humans, which could help persuade govt and business decision-makers to slow ecosystem destruction: in today's New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/science/09profile.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha210 And for more enlightenment and fascinating anecdotes about the function, degradation, and the future of ecosystems and their animals and plants (plus adventures in nature), read "The Fate of Nature" by Charles Wohlforth http://www.fateofnature.com/