ECOSYSTEM SERVICES


Natural ecosystems (e.g., forests, wetlands, grasslands, estuaries, open space) produce a variety of "ecosystem services" that underpin human welfare. These services provide such benefits as carbon sequestration, water purification, flood control, soil regeneration, wildlife habitat, pollination, nutrient recycling, scenic vistas and recreational opportunities. Because many of these services are "public goods", private markets typically do not provide landowners economic incentives to provide them. It is necessary, therefore, to develop innovative market mechanisms to create incentives for providing these potential ecosystem services.

Ed Sanders focuses on developing products that require additional revenues from ecosystem services especially from carbon credits. For example, he was instrumental in securing carbon credits for a major conservation project in Belize. That project has been awarded a CCBA gold standard certification because of its community and diodiversity benefits. It will also be certified under VSC citeria as soon as those protocols are finalized.