Nature-Based Solutions最新文献

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can be applied to alleviate negative human impacts on ecosystems and promote the general health or well-being of the environment. Human-induced activities, including installation of NbS, are governed by legislative requirements (e.g. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)), especially when such activities occur in Marine Protected Areas (MPA's). A correct and thorough description of the legislative framework governing the application and development of NbS is therefore essential. The Drivers-Activities-Pressures-State change-Impacts (on human Welfare)-Responses (using Measures) or DAPSI(W)R(M) framework is valuable when environmental assessment procedures include a NbS, as well as when policy and industry require guidance for the practical application of a NbS concept. In this study, we applied the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework to the Coastbusters approach, in which mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) and tubeworm aggregations (Lanice conchilega) are installed in the Belgian part of the North Sea with the aim of improving coastal resilience and maritime infrastructure works. Within the context of the Coastbusters approach, the various elements of the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework were elucidated. Coastal defense is a driver, with activities including the integration of coastal infrastructure and aquaculture practices. Pressures related to these activities on benthic habitats were described using the MarESA sensitivity approach. State change assessments were performed based on the various marine regulations (e.g. Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Habitat Directive, Water Framework Directive) which together outline a precise set of criteria and indicators designed to assess the sustainability and health of ecosystems. The present study provides a detailed framework for the environmental evaluation of seaward NbS, from state changes to impacts on human welfare. Three quantitative estimations of ecosystem service indicators (coastal protection, carbon retention and water quality (N) regulation) were used, with the indicators quantified by in-situ measurements and data from literature. Subsequently, the 10-tenets approach for taking measures (e.g. use of biodegradable material, local species, etc.) was used to develop responses that facilitate the optimal implementation of NbS. The approach outlined in this study can be used as a guide for stakeholders as they move through the environmental evaluation processes that are required for successful development of a seaward NbS. Our results underscore the importance of a favorable institutional environment for NbS and suggest that public acceptance and stakeholder involvement play a crucial role in successful implementation. This study contributes to the understanding and operationalization of Nature-based Solutions in coastal management.

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) are growing in popularity as approaches for, among others, the reduction of hydro-meteorological risks. However, their uptake is still slow despite the recognition of their role in enabling a smarter, more systemic, and faster adaptation to climate change. Uncertainties regarding the valuation and subsequent economic feasibility of NBS are deemed to be a substantial barrier to their uptake. The monetary valuation of the non-tangible benefits of NBS (e.g., increased recreation and enhanced biodiversity) is seen as a plausible strategy to get closer to providing a holistic assessment. However, the quantification of these non-tangible benefits is often not integrated into economic assessments of NBS, partly as methods that can be replicated across sites have been lacking. This situation risks leading to inconsistent and/or biased valuations, which may negatively influence or delay the prioritization of NBS. Thus, our study aims to collect primary data on the non-tangible benefits of NBS across different European study sites and to identify patterns in how the different types and contexts of NBS influence people's valuation. We applied a contingent valuation survey to six different peri‑urban NBS study sites, where the focus is on the reduction of hydro-meteorological risks. The target of the survey was the general public, and we used willingness-to-pay questions to quantify the value given by the respondents to the NBS. Our results highlighted that people value the multiple benefits of NBS, and positively react to implementations improving nature across all sites. Moreover, similar variables seem to influence the value attributed to NBS across sites, with income and personal preferences ranking highly among them. These insights indicate that decision-makers and NBS-planners can learn more broadly from past experiences from a variety of (cultural) contexts, which can assist in delivering more targeted and multi-functional NBS.

Estuaries worldwide are of substantial ecological value due to the presence of various gradients, such as salinity. Preserving the natural value of estuaries is vital for meeting the climate stabilization goals of the Paris Agreement. Recognizing nature as a stakeholder is imperative, given the surpassing value of ecosystem services over global gross domestic product. Quantifying the current ecological state and future ecological shifts faces challenges, including variable dependencies, spatial-temporal disparities, and the limitations in available information. This study introduces EMMA (Ecotope-Map Maker for Abiotics), a method for quantifying the effects of human interventions or climate change scenarios on estuarine ecosystems by linking abiotic characteristics derived from a hydrodynamic model to ecotopes. The Western Scheldt, an estuary connecting the Scheldt river to the North Sea in the Netherlands, serves as a case study. The method successfully reproduced an existing ecotope-map, which is dependent on real-time data such as aerial photographs. The developed method not only proves applicable in assessing the current ecological state and future ecological shifts for hypothetical scenarios but also demonstrates utility in predicting future situations, providing valuable insights for decision-makers in estuarine ecosystem management and contributing to climate and environmental preservation goals.

The culturally diverse region of Moananui Oceania, is where many of the world's nations that are most impacted by climate change are located, including Samoa. Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer significant potential for effective climate change adaptation and are increasingly being explored and utilized in the region both in terms of (re)exploring traditional human designed living-systems created over connected land and oceanscapes, and in relation to contemporary NbS strategies. To explore nature-based adaptation agendas that link closely to Indigenous ecological knowledge and understandings of wellbeing, and that can enhance cultural connections to NbS in an urban climate change adaptation context, the Nature-based Urban design for Wellbeing and Adaptation in Oceania (NUWAO) Vaisigano Project in Samoa was conceived. The project examines and draws upon contemporary and traditional relationships between human settlements and nature in Samoa, as a means to advocate for regenerative urban environments that enhance entwined socio-ecological wellbeing and resilience as a climate change adaptation measure. We conducted a series of household interviews along a ridge-to-reef transect in the Vaisigano Catchment and then conducted fa'afaletui focus groups to ascertain community understandings and priorities related to NbS for climate change adaptation. Findings include that there is great potential in combining local Indigenous knowledges and worldviews with contemporary nature-based approaches to create culturally effective, just, and resilient climate change adaptation measures in Samoa, and in wider Moananui Oceania.

This study investigates the intricate relationships between flood disaster risk perception (RP), attitudes(ATT), subjective norms(SN), and participation in flood prevention activities(IPF), emphasizing the mediating roles of self-efficacy(SE) and bonding social capital(BSC). The research in Freetown, Sierra Leone, involved 702 participants, providing a diverse socio-demographic snapshot crucial for understanding community-based flood risk management. Data analysis revealed that demographic factors like age, gender, education, and income significantly influence flood risk perceptions and mitigation behaviors. Additionally, subjective norms were found to substantially impact both self-efficacy and bonding social capital, affecting participation in flood prevention activities. The study also explored the role of community dynamics and social norms in shaping risk perceptions and intentions to engage in flood risk prevention. It was observed that higher self-efficacy and more robust community bonds lead to increased participation in flood mitigation efforts. The findings offer valuable insights into flood prevention behavior's psychological and social drivers and highlight the importance of community-focused strategies in enhancing flood resilience. The study contributes to the broader understanding of flood risk management in urban settings, particularly in developing countries, and underscores the need for policies and practices that foster individual empowerment and collective community action.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer a promising path to enhance climate-resilient shorelines. For instance, the creation of mussel beds in subtidal sandy shore systems provides a versatile strategy for coastal management, reinforcing coastal defense and fostering biodiversity, ultimately strengthening the resilience and well-being of coastal communities. This study analysed the changes in seabed dynamics and surrounding benthic communities as a result of the formation of mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) using an aquaculture longline system. Therefore, a comprehensive monitoring approach at two sites characterized by distinct hydrodynamic conditions was applied over a three-year period. To assess the effects, a before/after control/impact design (BACI) was employed. Seabed dynamics were evaluated by observing mussel bed persistence, erosion/deposition, and sediment composition. The influence on the benthic community included assessments of community structure and biodiversity. Finally, the impact of mussels, hydrodynamic conditions, and their interactions on seabed dynamics and benthic communities was examined using linear mixed models (LMMs). Factors such as mussel presence, Lanice conchilega abundance, shell cover, and sediment composition played a role in shaping the distinct characteristics observed between two different sites: a site that lies at a location that is more sheltered from hydrodynamic conditions, and a second site that is exposed to higher current and wave conditions. The sheltered site exhibited higher species density, richness, biomass, and diversity compared to the exposed site. In relation to the mussel bed development, mussel patches were found at both sites (with higher occurrence at the sheltered site) in the 2nd and 3rd years (mainly in summer towards early winter). The influence of mussels on sediment deposition was noticeable at the sheltered site, albeit lacking statistical significance, suggesting their potential role in erosion/deposition mechanisms. Also, a higher proportion of very fine sand was observed in the mussel bed compared to the bare sand. However, due to the absence of higher-density permanent mussel beds and irregular sedimentation/erosion patterns throughout the study period, no significant effect of the mussel beds on the community structure or diversity was found. In order to achieve a sustained and dense mussel bed and maximize the potential impact of mussels in combating climate change (e.g., shore protection and biodiversity enrichment), additional measures to increase coastal resilience against harsh hydrodynamic conditions may be necessary.

Ecofeminist artist and landscape designer Betsy Damon advocates for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) as more effective, resilient, and economical alternatives to conventional infrastructure projects that try to impose human control over natural systems. NBS embraces nature's self-sustaining tendencies by harnessing natural processes to address environmental challenges. Damon examines case studies of NBS from her own career, including her 1998 Living Water Garden, a water-cleaning park in Chengdu, China. Damon also draws lessons from the reforestation of the Loess Plateau, the Indigenous-led restoration of Washington's Elwha River, and the revival of amaranth cultivation in Central Mexico. These cases reveal key principles behind effective NBS engagements: flexibility, complexity, interconnectedness, and memory. Meanwhile, projects that impose single-purpose design often degrade surrounding ecosystems. Damon critiques the common scientific approach of understanding systems only through isolating variables, arguing that isolated thinking leads to isolated design. She advocates for a shift towards radical interconnectedness. She concludes that because NBS don't place human systems and natural systems into separate, conflicting categories, they strengthen resilience on multiple levels. Damon envisions NBS as inextricable from quality of life, climate justice, and Indigenous sovereignty. Throughout, Damon examines water as the medium of nature's flexibility and resilience, from the ecosystem to the molecular level.

The challenge of breaking through preconceived societal norms and narratives is a common hurdle in advocating for transformative ideas. Cultural conditioning and the expectations placed on individuals and institutions are powerful forces, and they often keep new ways of seeing — and ideas like Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) — trapped in conventional patterns of thought and behavior. This paper suggests alternatives for connecting to these alternative ways of seeing through artist-led exhibitions and interventions that not only ask questions of nature, but also allow nature to ask questions of us. We look at five projects by City as Nature studio, including “Forest is the Artist” an exhibition which gives agency to a Korean forest, and a concept restaurant “World's Slowest Restaurant” where the artist makes customers wait for 6–8 weeks for their meal to be grown. Common to all of the artworks explored in this paper, is the view of nature as a partner. This view allows us to start from an acknowledgment of the human disconnect from nature, and proceed to explore the transformative potential of mending this disconnect by collaborating directly with nature in various ways. To achieve this, we use art as a way of giving human beings new stories, new spaces, and new social permissions that allow us to question norms and explore our own connection to the natural world. The outcomes suggest that the process of seeing ourselves as “ecological beings” does not necessarily require complex or elaborate interventions, but merely the opportunity to pause, reflect, and interact with the world in more profound ways. Through the views, examples, and outcomes in this paper, we find simple methods available to both scientists and the public alike, that can help us adopt more sustainable and meaningful ways of seeing. A valuable perspective for NBS professionals, this paper also highlights how the success of NBS is tied not only to quantitative results, but also to each individual's ability to foster real relationships, a sense of belonging, awe, and reverence for and with all of nature. It also suggests that this is achievable.

The project Feral Hues and Invasive Pigments (FH&IP) addresses the role of spontaneous urban plants (aka weeds) through ecosocial art, with the goal of reducing human alienation from plant life and land in urban and disturbed habitats. Hands-on work with spontaneous urban plants through ecosocial artistic methods—like walks, workshops, and land-based sculptures—provides cues for understanding weedy plants and informal greenspace (IGS) as part of nature-based solutions (NBS) in cities. In dialog with NBS research that takes a justice-oriented, degrowth approach to urban greenspace, the FH&IP project invites hands-on, hyperlocal participation of humans and plants at the neighborhood level to enhance the role of low maintenance IGS. Bringing ecosocial artistic methods into conversation with NBS research is one way to open up knowledge practices that inform both fields. Multisensorial, direct engagement with urban-dwelling plants can help practitioners and participants understand what kinds of maintenance and tending might help improve sentiment around spontaneous urban vegetation and improve its functional benefits for human communities. In the right context, such benefits range from flood mitigation to improved mental health to cooler, cleaner air. A “ladder of engagement” for reciprocal exchange with spontaneous urban plants is proposed to trace how the ecosocial artistic methods employed in FH&IP build plant-human solidarity towards more functional NBS in IGS. Methods like gallery installations, workshops, and walks are described and analyzed for their strengths and weaknesses in accessibility and depth, qualities that help initiate engagement and move participants up the ladder. At the lowest rung of the ladder, participants ignore or actively harm spontaneous urban plants, then move to noticing, tending, and eventually advocating for plants and the land they dwell on. The shift from alienation to advocacy has potential to improve the function of IGS by amplifying and enhancing contextually appropriate NBS that respect local needs and desires while improving equitable distribution of bioculturally diverse greenspace.

Art is becoming a new component in engineering and design collaborations to create nature- based solutions for site issues such as pollution control, stormwater runoff and habitat loss. In the last two decades there is a move to combine art with ecology to create a powerful tool for making change in ecological systems, particularly in urban nature. These works are inspired by nature and collaborate effectively with the natural process occurring on the site. Other outcomes of the projects are to increase ecological services on the site, and to involve and educate the human members of communities who live or work near the sites. The human users of the site can see and interact with the site issues while these very issues are being actively solved. Other species can reap the ecological benefits of expanded habitat and rainwater conservation. These projects have the added benefit of giving a visual explanation for the processes at work on the site. Artful Nature Based Solutions bring a new depth of understanding to the site issues because they regard the site through a combined focus of art and science. The essential aspect is the collaboration between artists and scientists. Having both the artist's and scientist's perspectives adds enrichment of ideas and vantage points to the solution. Science and engineering gains from the addition of a visual component as well as an expansion of the concept that art can bring to the issue. Though the projects do not always have quantitative data to back up their ecological effectiveness, the breadth of their communication and sense of making change in a troubled world are of great importance. The paper presents several exemplary cases of the collaboration realized through my work, which addressed stormwater runoff infiltration and water pollution, with implications for NBS.