The nutrient and calorie density of the red palm fruit makes it a true wonder of Nature. Of the innumerable contributions of Nature to people, the oil palm stands out for it’s power. This power is exemplified by the cultural and religious importance given to this tree (and more specifically its fruit and seed), in …
Tag Archives: payment for ecosystem services
The Pristine Illusion
Conservationist are set on the idea that to preserve nature is to remove humans form the equation and leave habitats alone. But is this even possible in today’s world? And has it ever been that way? It seems that in every corner of the globe, animals not only inhabit an ecosystem, but shape it and …
Quantifying the intangible
The problem with subtleties is that most people miss them. Can we accurately measure and place an economic value on ecosystem services, or Nature’s contributions to people? Will it ever be possible for mechanisms like carbon taxing or the United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD), actually represent the true …
Integrative Eco Social Design 