Nature-based Solutions

Nature-based Solutions address infrastructural needs, offer protection from climate impacts and act as hazard mitigation tools. There are multiple definitions of Nature-based Solutions available. Here, we follow the definition from IUCN [62]:

Nature-based Solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits

Principles with this definition are that Nature-based Solutions:

1. Embrace nature conservation practices;

2. Can be implemented alone or integrated with other solutions;

3. Are determined by site-specific natural and cultural contexts, based on traditional, local, scientific knowledge;

4. Produce societal benefits in a fair and equitable way, in a transparent and broad participation;

5. Maintain biological and cultural diversity and the ability of ecosystems to evolve over time;

6. Are applied at the scale of the landscape or seascape;

7. Recognize and address the trade-offs, between economic benefits versus a full range of ecosystem services;

8. Are an integral part of overall design of policies, and measures and actions, to address a specific challenge.

System understanding is the key to successful implementation.

In-depth knowledge about the physical system (biotic and abiotic) as well as the socio-economic system and the ecosystem services and benefits and governance context is essential to identify potential win-win situations. Once these win-win situations are identified, a multidisciplinary team can work in close collaboration with stakeholders on a design that benefits society, biodiversity, and the economy. Nature-based Solutions can also be applied in combination with traditional civil engineering/landscaping solutions.