Environmental markets: Innovative conservation opportunities to manage human excess?

Many ecologists are understandably wary of environmental markets and “putting a price on nature.”  But these markets can provide new conservation opportunities which are worth exploring.  I will examine some of these opportunities in two case studies: 1) nutrient trading in the Chesapeake Bay, and 2) the inclusion of coastal habitats in global carbon trading.  I will highlight the important role of scientists in shaping these policy solutions, as well as some of the research needs to support these developing environmental markets.