Pub Date : 2025-06-24DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100249
Alan Puttock, Roger E. Auster, Naomi Gatis, Richard E. Brazier
In the face of a global climate and biodiversity crisis, alongside intensifying natural hazards, there is growing interest in solutions that work with nature rather than against it—often referred to as Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
NbS encompass a spectrum of approaches addressing diverse challenges. Based on our research in water resources, landscape management, and climate mitigation, in this perspective piece we identify two forms of NbS: (1) human-led interventions (HNbS) that are actively designed and maintained, and (2) nature-led solutions (NNbS) that allow natural processes to function with minimal human intervention.
Drawing on our experience working with practitioners and policymakers, we highlight four key factors influencing the uptake and implementation of HNbS and NNbS: (1) the need for certainty, (2) balancing co-benefits and risks, (3) governance structures, and (4) societal perceptions of NbS.
We propose that viewing NbS on a spectrum—from human-led to nature-led—offers a valuable framework for integrating these approaches alongside engineered solutions in policy and management. Recognising and leveraging the strengths of nature-led solutions can enhance sustainable, multi-benefit resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
{"title":"Human, or nature-led? A spectrum of nature-based solutions","authors":"Alan Puttock, Roger E. Auster, Naomi Gatis, Richard E. Brazier","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100249","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100249","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the face of a global climate and biodiversity crisis, alongside intensifying natural hazards, there is growing interest in solutions that work with nature rather than against it—often referred to as Nature-based Solutions (NbS).</div><div>NbS encompass a spectrum of approaches addressing diverse challenges. Based on our research in water resources, landscape management, and climate mitigation, in this perspective piece we identify two forms of NbS: (1) human-led interventions (H<img>NbS) that are actively designed and maintained, and (2) nature-led solutions (N<img>NbS) that allow natural processes to function with minimal human intervention.</div><div>Drawing on our experience working with practitioners and policymakers, we highlight four key factors influencing the uptake and implementation of H<img>NbS and N<img>NbS: (1) the need for certainty, (2) balancing co-benefits and risks, (3) governance structures, and (4) societal perceptions of NbS.</div><div>We propose that viewing NbS on a spectrum—from human-led to nature-led—offers a valuable framework for integrating these approaches alongside engineered solutions in policy and management. Recognising and leveraging the strengths of nature-led solutions can enhance sustainable, multi-benefit resilience in the face of environmental challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100249"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-24DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100247
Janina Haupt , Jochen Hack , Antje Backhaus
With regard to the rising temperatures due to climate change and the intensification of the urban heat island effect (UHIE), nature-based solutions (NbS) are becoming increasingly important. In particular trees can mitigate the effects of the UHIE by shading and through transpiration. As trees suffering from heat and drought decrease their cooling properties under stress, this study investigates the effects of supplementary irrigation to increase the cooling capacities. The research focus is on how different irrigation practices can directly support the cooling effects of young urban trees as a NbS. The novelty of our study is the direct field trial comparison of irrigation quantities in combination with the quantification of their microclimatic effects. From May to September 2024, we observed three groups of Tilia cordata (unirrigated, monthly irrigated, weekly irrigated) in the city of Hanover, Germany, and measured air temperature and relative humidity (RH) within the tree crowns. The results show, that an investment in tree irrigation results in an increase of cooling capability of up to -0.67 °C and up to +5.98 %RH on hot days over 30 °C. Urban tree care is more than just keeping trees alive by minimizing water use, trees are a valuable resource that we can benefit from by using water wisely. Future-oriented tree irrigation, which not only ensures the survival of the trees but also promotes their natural functions, optimises the urban climate in a natural way.
{"title":"Targeted irrigation to improve the cooling potential of urban trees as a nature-based solution: Insights from a field trail in Hanover","authors":"Janina Haupt , Jochen Hack , Antje Backhaus","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100247","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100247","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With regard to the rising temperatures due to climate change and the intensification of the urban heat island effect (UHIE), nature-based solutions (NbS) are becoming increasingly important. In particular trees can mitigate the effects of the UHIE by shading and through transpiration. As trees suffering from heat and drought decrease their cooling properties under stress, this study investigates the effects of supplementary irrigation to increase the cooling capacities. The research focus is on how different irrigation practices can directly support the cooling effects of young urban trees as a NbS. The novelty of our study is the direct field trial comparison of irrigation quantities in combination with the quantification of their microclimatic effects. From May to September 2024, we observed three groups of <em>Tilia cordata</em> (unirrigated, monthly irrigated, weekly irrigated) in the city of Hanover, Germany, and measured air temperature and relative humidity (RH) within the tree crowns. The results show, that an investment in tree irrigation results in an increase of cooling capability of up to -0.67 °C and up to +5.98 %RH on hot days over 30 °C. Urban tree care is more than just keeping trees alive by minimizing water use, trees are a valuable resource that we can benefit from by using water wisely. Future-oriented tree irrigation, which not only ensures the survival of the trees but also promotes their natural functions, optimises the urban climate in a natural way.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100247"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-09DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100245
Gemechis B Mosisa , Bobe Bedadi , Gemedo Dalle , Nega Tassie
Driven by the need to enhance urban climate resilience, there is a growing preference for nature-based solutions (NbS) over conventional architecture, mostly attributed to their ecological benefits and economic advantages. This systematic review analyzed global knowledge and research gaps regarding the implementation, contribution, and effectiveness (ICE) of NbS. Using Publish and Perish version 8 software, across Google Scholar and Elsevier Scopus, 749 publications were initially retrieved (2014 – 2025), with 84 (11.20 % of the initial search results) meeting inclusion criteria. Additionally, a qualitative analysis was conducted on a sample of 26 publications, selected from the initial 84 articles. The review demonstrates that though NbS hold substantial promise for optimizing urban climate resilience, their successful implementation is contingent upon addressing a complex relationship between factors like data-driven planning, stakeholder awareness and engagement, resource availability, institutional framework, and context-specific considerations. Moreover, it highlights the significance of integrating ecological, economic, and social dimensions, tailoring interventions to local needs, and utilizing rigorous evaluation methodologies to ensure the effectiveness and long-term contribution of NbS in fostering resilient urban environments to the climate change impacts. Though the scope of this review was constrained by various factors like language and database, it identified significant research gaps, including limited geographical case studies, reliance on secondary data and sources, methodological inconsistencies, lack of standardized approaches, and inadequate understanding of the complex functions of NbS in urban climate resilience. For instance, of the 26 qualitative sample publications selected for this systematic review, almost 54 % employed only secondary data sources, and eight publications lacked clear and specified data analysis techniques. Hence, future research should prioritize primary data, robust methodologies, transdisciplinary collaboration, and a broader geographical focus to promote the effectiveness and successful implementation of NbS.
在增强城市气候适应能力的需求的推动下，人们越来越倾向于基于自然的解决方案（NbS），而不是传统的建筑，这主要归功于它们的生态效益和经济优势。本系统综述分析了国家统计局的实施、贡献和有效性方面的全球知识和研究差距。使用Publish and Perish version 8软件，在b谷歌Scholar和Elsevier Scopus中，最初检索了749篇出版物（2014 - 2025），其中84篇（占初始搜索结果的11.20%）符合纳入标准。此外，从最初的84篇文章中选取了26篇出版物作为样本进行了定性分析。回顾表明，尽管国家统计局在优化城市气候适应能力方面有着巨大的希望，但其成功实施取决于解决数据驱动型规划、利益相关者意识和参与、资源可用性、制度框架和具体情况考虑等因素之间的复杂关系。此外，本文还强调了整合生态、经济和社会维度、根据当地需求定制干预措施以及利用严格的评估方法的重要性，以确保国家统计局在培养抵御气候变化影响的城市环境方面的有效性和长期贡献。尽管本综述的范围受到语言和数据库等各种因素的限制，但它发现了重大的研究空白，包括地理案例研究有限，对二手数据和来源的依赖，方法不一致，缺乏标准化方法，以及对NbS在城市气候适应能力中的复杂功能的理解不足。例如，在为本系统综述选择的26个定性样本出版物中，近54%仅使用二手数据源，8个出版物缺乏明确和指定的数据分析技术。因此，未来的研究应优先考虑原始数据、稳健的方法、跨学科合作和更广泛的地理关注点，以促进国家统计局的有效性和成功实施。
{"title":"Nature-based solutions for urban climate resilience: implementation, contribution, and effectiveness","authors":"Gemechis B Mosisa , Bobe Bedadi , Gemedo Dalle , Nega Tassie","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Driven by the need to enhance urban climate resilience, there is a growing preference for nature-based solutions (NbS) over conventional architecture, mostly attributed to their ecological benefits and economic advantages. This systematic review analyzed global knowledge and research gaps regarding the implementation, contribution, and effectiveness (ICE) of NbS. Using Publish and Perish version 8 software, across Google Scholar and Elsevier Scopus, 749 publications were initially retrieved (2014 – 2025), with 84 (11.20 % of the initial search results) meeting inclusion criteria. Additionally, a qualitative analysis was conducted on a sample of 26 publications, selected from the initial 84 articles. The review demonstrates that though NbS hold substantial promise for optimizing urban climate resilience, their successful implementation is contingent upon addressing a complex relationship between factors like data-driven planning, stakeholder awareness and engagement, resource availability, institutional framework, and context-specific considerations. Moreover, it highlights the significance of integrating ecological, economic, and social dimensions, tailoring interventions to local needs, and utilizing rigorous evaluation methodologies to ensure the effectiveness and long-term contribution of NbS in fostering resilient urban environments to the climate change impacts. Though the scope of this review was constrained by various factors like language and database, it identified significant research gaps, including limited geographical case studies, reliance on secondary data and sources, methodological inconsistencies, lack of standardized approaches, and inadequate understanding of the complex functions of NbS in urban climate resilience. For instance, of the 26 qualitative sample publications selected for this systematic review, almost 54 % employed only secondary data sources, and eight publications lacked clear and specified data analysis techniques. Hence, future research should prioritize primary data, robust methodologies, transdisciplinary collaboration, and a broader geographical focus to promote the effectiveness and successful implementation of NbS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100245"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144306723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-08DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100246
Defe Rameck, Matsa Mark, Mavugara Roberta
The study assessed households’ perceptions on the contribution of climate resilience interventions to attain community socio-economic development in Southern Zimbabwe. The researcher adopted a mixed method design which utilized both qualitative and quantitative paradigms. Data was collected from 352 households from the 4 Enhancing Community Resilience and Sustainability Projects (ECRAS) wards. Qualitative data was subjected to content analysis while quantitative data was subjected to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Climate change and variability impacts in Mwenezi District of Southern Zimbabwe have contributed to failure of the livestock production sector and crop production sector which are the main livelihood options of households in the District. Eventually this retarded community socio-economic development. In response, Government departments, Non-Governmental Organisations and communities collaborated to initiate interventions to manage climate change impacts on community socio-economic development. The efforts made by the stakeholders have evidenced that building climate resilience is contributing significantly to community socio-economic development. The interventions initiated have contributed to food security and dietary diversity, clean water availability, enhanced livestock production and improvement on the community sanitation and hygiene. The households interviewed and some stakeholders’ perceived resilience building as a panacea to climate change induced impacts in communities since households largely depend on climate sensitive sectors. The study therefore recommends adoption of climate smart interventions for all development agendas since majority of households in Southern Zimbabwe largely depend on climate sensitive sectors.
{"title":"Households’ perceptions on resilience building interventions towards enhancing community socio-economic development in Southern Zimbabwe","authors":"Defe Rameck, Matsa Mark, Mavugara Roberta","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100246","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100246","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study assessed households’ perceptions on the contribution of climate resilience interventions to attain community socio-economic development in Southern Zimbabwe. The researcher adopted a mixed method design which utilized both qualitative and quantitative paradigms. Data was collected from 352 households from the 4 Enhancing Community Resilience and Sustainability Projects (ECRAS) wards. Qualitative data was subjected to content analysis while quantitative data was subjected to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Climate change and variability impacts in Mwenezi District of Southern Zimbabwe have contributed to failure of the livestock production sector and crop production sector which are the main livelihood options of households in the District. Eventually this retarded community socio-economic development. In response, Government departments, Non-Governmental Organisations and communities collaborated to initiate interventions to manage climate change impacts on community socio-economic development. The efforts made by the stakeholders have evidenced that building climate resilience is contributing significantly to community socio-economic development. The interventions initiated have contributed to food security and dietary diversity, clean water availability, enhanced livestock production and improvement on the community sanitation and hygiene. The households interviewed and some stakeholders’ perceived resilience building as a panacea to climate change induced impacts in communities since households largely depend on climate sensitive sectors. The study therefore recommends adoption of climate smart interventions for all development agendas since majority of households in Southern Zimbabwe largely depend on climate sensitive sectors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100246"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144279781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-08DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100244
Paulina Filz , Rodrigo Beas-Luna , Luca Rindi , Julio Lorda , Jan Freiwald , Luis Malpica-Cruz
Human activities and climate change drive the degradation of marine ecosystems, which provide essential services such as carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and fisheries. This loss amplifies societal challenges, including climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction, and socio-economic vulnerability. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a strategic approach to address these challenges by protecting, managing, and restoring coastal ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity and human well-being. Despite growing recognition of NbS, large-scale implementation remains hindered by funding constraints, policy integration barriers, and difficulty scaling effective strategies. Here, we present a systematic literature review investigating these factors in marine ecosystems to improve our understanding of investment motivations and co-interventions. We analyzed 39 case studies of NbS interventions and 32 studies on implementation opportunities and barriers. Our findings indicate that ecosystem restoration is the most prevalent NbS intervention in marine systems, often initiated in response to extreme climate events and disaster risk reduction. However, successful implementation frequently requires complementary strategies, such as income diversification, to reduce anthropogenic pressures and enhance livelihood resilience. Moreover, we identify synergies between addressing societal challenges and promoting ecosystem recovery, offering valuable insights for managers and researchers. To scale NbS effectively, barriers related to financing, policy integration, and technical expertise must be addressed. Our findings highlight the need for integrated, adaptive solutions linking ecological restoration with community-based management and sustainable economic development, ensuring resilience and social justice. Future research should explore innovative marine NbS approaches that support human well-being and acknowledge nature’s intrinsic value.
{"title":"Coastal resilience could be enhanced by co-interventions and synergistic Nature-based Solutions","authors":"Paulina Filz , Rodrigo Beas-Luna , Luca Rindi , Julio Lorda , Jan Freiwald , Luis Malpica-Cruz","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100244","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100244","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human activities and climate change drive the degradation of marine ecosystems, which provide essential services such as carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and fisheries. This loss amplifies societal challenges, including climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction, and socio-economic vulnerability. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a strategic approach to address these challenges by protecting, managing, and restoring coastal ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity and human well-being. Despite growing recognition of NbS, large-scale implementation remains hindered by funding constraints, policy integration barriers, and difficulty scaling effective strategies. Here, we present a systematic literature review investigating these factors in marine ecosystems to improve our understanding of investment motivations and co-interventions. We analyzed 39 case studies of NbS interventions and 32 studies on implementation opportunities and barriers. Our findings indicate that ecosystem restoration is the most prevalent NbS intervention in marine systems, often initiated in response to extreme climate events and disaster risk reduction. However, successful implementation frequently requires complementary strategies, such as income diversification, to reduce anthropogenic pressures and enhance livelihood resilience. Moreover, we identify synergies between addressing societal challenges and promoting ecosystem recovery, offering valuable insights for managers and researchers. To scale NbS effectively, barriers related to financing, policy integration, and technical expertise must be addressed. Our findings highlight the need for integrated, adaptive solutions linking ecological restoration with community-based management and sustainable economic development, ensuring resilience and social justice. Future research should explore innovative marine NbS approaches that support human well-being and acknowledge nature’s intrinsic value.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100244"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144471899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-07DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100243
Donna Marie Bilkovic , Andrew M. Scheld , Robert Isdell , Pamela Mason , Sarah Stafford , Molly Mitchell , Cirse Gonzalez-Dorantes , Randolph Chambers , Matthias Leu , Susanna Musick , Sean Gregory , Jessica Hendricks , Oluwakemi Dada , Gabriel Benson
Marshes are important natural capital assets for many coastal communities, providing a range of ecosystem services such as coastal protection, nutrient removal, habitat, and recreational opportunities. We explored the present and future distribution and economic value of tidal marsh (natural marsh and living shorelines) ecosystem services for coastal communities in Virginia, US, using an interdisciplinary mixed-methods, spatially explicit valuation approach. First, a benefit transfer analysis was conducted using literature-derived values adjusted for site-specific conditions. Then, two stated preference surveys were implemented, targeting recreational users and individuals engaged in shoreline management decision-making. We leveraged a wide range of spatial information on the local environment to both adjust values and also develop realistic scenarios in surveys. Survey responses were used to assess service values as well as tradeoffs in shoreline decisions. Marsh values were found to be a significant asset for communities, amounting to ∼$90M/yr in benefits, or 3.3 % of annual GDP for the region. Assuming marsh migration into undeveloped lands and the installation of living shorelines for coastal protection where suitable, future discounted service values were predicted to increase slightly. Marsh service values varied spatially, with storm risk reduction (the highest ranked service by community decision-makers) displaying the greatest variation. Recreational opportunities were ranked low by community decision-makers, yet recreational fishers placed a high value on marshes. This highlights that without consideration of locally important services, shoreline management decisions may unknowingly affect local economies. Valuing marsh services can improve social efficiency in shoreline management decisions while also advancing natural capital accounting.
{"title":"Valuing present and future benefits provided by coastal wetlands and living shorelines","authors":"Donna Marie Bilkovic , Andrew M. Scheld , Robert Isdell , Pamela Mason , Sarah Stafford , Molly Mitchell , Cirse Gonzalez-Dorantes , Randolph Chambers , Matthias Leu , Susanna Musick , Sean Gregory , Jessica Hendricks , Oluwakemi Dada , Gabriel Benson","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100243","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Marshes are important natural capital assets for many coastal communities, providing a range of ecosystem services such as coastal protection, nutrient removal, habitat, and recreational opportunities. We explored the present and future distribution and economic value of tidal marsh (natural marsh and living shorelines) ecosystem services for coastal communities in Virginia, US, using an interdisciplinary mixed-methods, spatially explicit valuation approach. First, a benefit transfer analysis was conducted using literature-derived values adjusted for site-specific conditions. Then, two stated preference surveys were implemented, targeting recreational users and individuals engaged in shoreline management decision-making. We leveraged a wide range of spatial information on the local environment to both adjust values and also develop realistic scenarios in surveys. Survey responses were used to assess service values as well as tradeoffs in shoreline decisions. Marsh values were found to be a significant asset for communities, amounting to ∼$90M/yr in benefits, or 3.3 % of annual GDP for the region. Assuming marsh migration into undeveloped lands and the installation of living shorelines for coastal protection where suitable, future discounted service values were predicted to increase slightly. Marsh service values varied spatially, with storm risk reduction (the highest ranked service by community decision-makers) displaying the greatest variation. Recreational opportunities were ranked low by community decision-makers, yet recreational fishers placed a high value on marshes. This highlights that without consideration of locally important services, shoreline management decisions may unknowingly affect local economies. Valuing marsh services can improve social efficiency in shoreline management decisions while also advancing natural capital accounting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144271526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-06DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100240
Laura Pott , Yaron Hershkovitz , Sebastian Birk
The study explores the application of a Theory of Change (ToC) framework in 18 large-scale freshwater restoration projects within the context of the European Green Deal and the recently adopted Nature Restoration Regulation. By leveraging a participatory approach, the research examines the effects of freshwater restoration measures across three ecosystem clusters: peatlands and wetlands, small streams, and large rivers. In a conceptual model, restoration measures were connected with transdisciplinary goals, assessing biophysical, social and economic outcomes. The findings highlight the effectiveness of Nature-based Solutions in advancing climate resilience, biodiversity gains, and social equity while identifying potential trade-offs and negative effects. The ToC framework proved valuable in guiding restoration planning, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and enabling adaptive management in accordance with the Nature Restoration Regulation’s requirements. However, the study underscores the need for clearly defined quantitative targets to enhance systematic monitoring and evaluation, ensuring full and sustainable alignment with broader European objectives.
{"title":"Mapping multiple benefits in large-scale freshwater restoration: A theory of change approach","authors":"Laura Pott , Yaron Hershkovitz , Sebastian Birk","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100240","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study explores the application of a Theory of Change (ToC) framework in 18 large-scale freshwater restoration projects within the context of the European Green Deal and the recently adopted Nature Restoration Regulation. By leveraging a participatory approach, the research examines the effects of freshwater restoration measures across three ecosystem clusters: peatlands and wetlands, small streams, and large rivers. In a conceptual model, restoration measures were connected with transdisciplinary goals, assessing biophysical, social and economic outcomes. The findings highlight the effectiveness of Nature-based Solutions in advancing climate resilience, biodiversity gains, and social equity while identifying potential trade-offs and negative effects. The ToC framework proved valuable in guiding restoration planning, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and enabling adaptive management in accordance with the Nature Restoration Regulation’s requirements. However, the study underscores the need for clearly defined quantitative targets to enhance systematic monitoring and evaluation, ensuring full and sustainable alignment with broader European objectives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100240"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144321596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rising sea levels and stormwater flooding threaten coastal ecosystems like wetlands, exacerbating urban sustainability challenges. Urban Living Labs and NBS propose decentralised, community-driven approaches emphasising resilience, circularity, symbiosis, and regeneration. This study examines Freetown Christiania, a pioneering community-led urban laboratory and countercultural enclave within Copenhagen’s socio-technical-ecological systems, as they pursue SDGs within planetary boundaries. We analyse Christiania’s urban niche using participatory observation and sociotechnical frameworks—including Actor-network Theory, the Multi-Level Perspective, and Sociotechnical Imaginaries. We investigate NBS innovations, such as reed bed systems, constructed wetlands, green roofs, and green-blue infrastructure, which exemplify Christiania’s integrated urban water management—innovations reshaping Copenhagen’s grey infrastructure path dependency, driven by Danish agendas and Sino-European sponge city partnerships.
Identifying key actors, drivers, barriers, and scenarios, our thematic analysis codes problems, interests, and strategies to articulate a proposal for expanding Christiania’s NBS niches through urban planning and governance. Findings highlight Christiania’s contributions to NBS in wastewater treatment, habitat preservation, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainability ideology. The Freetown bridges community-led innovations with municipal and international strategies, positioning itself as a potential pilot for further integrating socio-technical, techno-economic, socio-ecological, and institutional design approaches to urban and coastal sustainability.
We propose a replicable multi-criteria methodology for territorial transitions in Copenhagen, the Baltic, and globally. Based upon IUCN and DGNB standards, we outline criteria for urban NBS proposals developed with Christiania’s Building Office and local stakeholders. These criteria inform scenario planning in our project, “Spongetown Christiania,” forecasting trajectories and pathways for local governance of infrastructure, urban renewal and development.
{"title":"“Spongetown” Christiania as an urban living lab: Nature-based solutions for resilient, circular, symbiotic, and regenerative transitions in urban waters","authors":"Manuel Higgs Morgado , Despoina Vasiliki Vastardi , Flore-Eva Baudot Almeida , Hanaa Dahy","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rising sea levels and stormwater flooding threaten coastal ecosystems like wetlands, exacerbating urban sustainability challenges. Urban Living Labs and NBS propose decentralised, community-driven approaches emphasising <em>resilience, circularity, symbiosis</em>, and <em>regeneration</em>. This study examines Freetown Christiania, a pioneering community-led urban laboratory and countercultural enclave within Copenhagen’s socio-technical-ecological systems, as they pursue SDGs within planetary boundaries. We analyse Christiania’s urban <em>niche</em> using participatory observation and <em>sociotechnical</em> frameworks—including <em>Actor-network Theory</em>, the <em>Multi-Level Perspective</em>, and <em>Sociotechnical Imaginaries</em>. We investigate NBS innovations, such as reed bed systems, constructed wetlands, green roofs, and green-blue infrastructure, which exemplify Christiania’s integrated urban water management—innovations reshaping Copenhagen’s grey infrastructure path dependency, driven by Danish agendas and Sino-European sponge city partnerships.</div><div>Identifying key actors, drivers, barriers, and scenarios, our thematic analysis codes problems, interests, and strategies to articulate a proposal for expanding Christiania’s NBS niches through urban planning and governance. Findings highlight Christiania’s contributions to NBS in wastewater treatment, habitat preservation, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainability ideology. The <em>Freetown</em> bridges community-led innovations with municipal and international strategies, positioning itself as a potential pilot for further integrating socio-technical<em>,</em> techno-economic, socio-ecological, and institutional design approaches to urban and coastal sustainability.</div><div>We propose a replicable multi-criteria methodology for territorial transitions in Copenhagen, the Baltic, and globally. Based upon IUCN and DGNB standards, we outline criteria for urban NBS proposals developed with Christiania’s Building Office and local stakeholders. These criteria inform scenario planning in our project, “Spongetown Christiania,” forecasting trajectories and pathways for local governance of infrastructure, urban renewal and development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100237"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144502050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100242
Elham Ashrafizadeh, Rasoul Yousefpour
Forests play a significant role in mitigating natural hazards and are increasingly recognized as nature-based solutions (NBS) for ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR). However, their protective effects remain under-quantified, limiting their integration into mainstream risk management practices.
This systematic review investigates the current state of quantitative and monetary assessments of forests as Eco-DRR measures. To this end, we focused exclusively on studies reporting quantitative outcomes for forests across a broad range of gravitational and hydroclimatic hazards. The review aims to: 1) provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts and methodologies used to quantify the protective effects of forests; 2) summarize and analyze quantitative evidence and its variation across forest types, methodologies and hazard types; 3) identify research gaps; and 4) synthesize a conceptual framework to facilitate further research.
We screened 3568 papers, from which 77 studies were selected, comprising 155 data points. Drawing on the insights from these studies, we developed a conceptual framework to guide future research in this field. Methodologies for the quantification of protective effects were categorized into three main groups: hazard-based, risk-based, and economic valuation methods, with hazard-based approaches being the most frequently applied, followed by economic valuation. Reported monetary values for forest protective effects varied significantly, ranging from less than 1 USD to over 41,000 USD per hectare per year. We investigated potential sources of this variation, including forest type, hazard type, and the methodologies employed.
Our findings underscore the need for more robust hazard models tailored to specific hazard types that integrate forest characteristics, climate change impacts, and post-disturbance forest recovery. We emphasize the importance of applying risk-based methods when evaluating the protective effect of forests. To this end, the review provides a framework to guide future efforts and support the integration of forests into disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation strategies.
{"title":"Quantifying and valuing forests as a nature-based solution for ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction: A systematic review","authors":"Elham Ashrafizadeh, Rasoul Yousefpour","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100242","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100242","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forests play a significant role in mitigating natural hazards and are increasingly recognized as nature-based solutions (NBS) for ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR). However, their protective effects remain under-quantified, limiting their integration into mainstream risk management practices.</div><div>This systematic review investigates the current state of quantitative and monetary assessments of forests as Eco-DRR measures. To this end, we focused exclusively on studies reporting quantitative outcomes for forests across a broad range of gravitational and hydroclimatic hazards. The review aims to: 1) provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts and methodologies used to quantify the protective effects of forests; 2) summarize and analyze quantitative evidence and its variation across forest types, methodologies and hazard types; 3) identify research gaps; and 4) synthesize a conceptual framework to facilitate further research.</div><div>We screened 3568 papers, from which 77 studies were selected, comprising 155 data points. Drawing on the insights from these studies, we developed a conceptual framework to guide future research in this field. Methodologies for the quantification of protective effects were categorized into three main groups: hazard-based, risk-based, and economic valuation methods, with hazard-based approaches being the most frequently applied, followed by economic valuation. Reported monetary values for forest protective effects varied significantly, ranging from less than 1 USD to over 41,000 USD per hectare per year. We investigated potential sources of this variation, including forest type, hazard type, and the methodologies employed.</div><div>Our findings underscore the need for more robust hazard models tailored to specific hazard types that integrate forest characteristics, climate change impacts, and post-disturbance forest recovery. We emphasize the importance of applying risk-based methods when evaluating the protective effect of forests. To this end, the review provides a framework to guide future efforts and support the integration of forests into disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100242"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144263086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100239
Amanda Yates , Maibritt Pedersen Zari , Qatrenë Juni
Working with nature in urban settings as a strategy for improving wellbeing offers significant potential for effective climate change adaptation. It is increasingly being explored and utilized in the region of Moananui Oceania. In New Caledonia, ongoing social issues pervade many aspects of life, particularly for Indigenous Kanak peoples, including the appropriateness and effectiveness of housing and the urban built environment in general. This paper examines and suggests eco-relational practices for urban and architectural design in a New Caledonian context. To explore transformative nature-based built environment design agendas that link closely to Indigenous ecological knowledge and understandings of wellbeing, research was carried out through a series of interviews and workshops with local people. We examine the usefulness of starting from understanding worldview, local notions of wellbeing, and relationships to nature in urban climate change adaptation work, and suggest a conceptual framework for transformative built environment design practice. We discuss using the Mauri Ora compass research co-design methodologies to bridge cultural differences, political agendas, and varying worldviews and encourage meaningful engagement with eco-centric local and/or Indigenous communities. Key findings include that the communities engaged with, who are largely Kanak, see that fundamental changes must occur in the design and construction of built environments, and that the nature of the changes is not just technical, but fundamentally requires a cultural shift in how people understand themselves to be in and of the living world. The necessary shift, particularly for non-indigenous, was identified as a collective rather than individual reorientation towards a more care-full, respectful, and ecologically regenerative relationship with living socio-ecological systems.
{"title":"Transformative nature-based urban and architectural design values for socio-ecological wellbeing and adaptation in New Caledonia","authors":"Amanda Yates , Maibritt Pedersen Zari , Qatrenë Juni","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100239","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100239","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Working with nature in urban settings as a strategy for improving wellbeing offers significant potential for effective climate change adaptation. It is increasingly being explored and utilized in the region of <em>Moananui</em> Oceania. In New Caledonia, ongoing social issues pervade many aspects of life, particularly for Indigenous Kanak peoples, including the appropriateness and effectiveness of housing and the urban built environment in general. This paper examines and suggests eco-relational practices for urban and architectural design in a New Caledonian context. To explore transformative nature-based built environment design agendas that link closely to Indigenous ecological knowledge and understandings of wellbeing, research was carried out through a series of interviews and workshops with local people. We examine the usefulness of starting from understanding worldview, local notions of wellbeing, and relationships to nature in urban climate change adaptation work, and suggest a conceptual framework for transformative built environment design practice. We discuss using the Mauri Ora compass research co-design methodologies to bridge cultural differences, political agendas, and varying worldviews and encourage meaningful engagement with eco-centric local and/or Indigenous communities. Key findings include that the communities engaged with, who are largely Kanak, see that fundamental changes must occur in the design and construction of built environments, and that the nature of the changes is not just technical, but fundamentally requires a cultural shift in how people understand themselves to be in and of the living world. The necessary shift, particularly for non-indigenous, was identified as a collective rather than individual reorientation towards a more care-full, respectful, and ecologically regenerative relationship with living socio-ecological systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100239"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144230007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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