Final answer:Douglas McCauley advocates for the protection of natural resources by valuing ecosystem services, which are the critical benefits nature provides to humanity. This approach supports long-term environmental sustainability and is central to environmental economics, which aims to incorporate these services into economic and policy decisions. Thus option b.  Ecosystem services is correct.Explanation:Douglas McCauley believes that we should protect natural resources by valuing ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are the numerous benefits that nature provides to humanity, including the purification of water, pollination of crops, and climate regulation.These services are critical for our survival and often have no direct economic value attached to them. Recognizing their importance can lead to better preservation of biodiversity and natural habitats. By focusing on ecosystem services rather than short-sighted economic profits, we can make decisions that support long-term environmental health and sustainability.Environmental economics is a sub-discipline that looks into how ecosystem services contribute to global economies. It involves not only estimating the market value of these services but also considering the environmental costs of economic transactions and policies.Attempts to estimate the market value of ecosystem services can be met with technical and ethical challenges. Still, the practice is becoming a norm in economic models and conservation activities, as it raises awareness about nature's value and helps integrate these values into public decision-making....

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