A strategic monitoring approach for learning to improve natural infrastructure

Rees, Charles B. van; Naslund, Laura C.; Hernandez-Abrams, Darixa; McKay, S. Kyle; Woodson, C. Brock; Rosemond, Amy D.; McFall, Brian C.; Altman, Safra; Wenger, Seth J.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155078

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Given that monitoring data and evidence for assessing the biodiversity impacts of NBS are extraordinarily scarce [18], we restricted our analysis to a qualitative rating system of the degree of connection between NBS and conservation actions. We classified the potential pathways for influence of NBS on conservation goals as Direct, Indirect, or Not Applicable.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such framings could encourage investment and management of such shared resources in ways that better ensure the long-term prospects of local ecological communities, so long as societal benefits were protected and distributed equitably [1,102]. Strategic NBS investments in the form of restored, created, or protected habitats could be monitored and managed using the population trends and demography of exploited species as an indicator [18]. Such practices, where implemented in conjunction with NBS, could synergize with and potentially catalyze the establishment and management of community-based freshwater protected areas.…”

Section: Plos Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The urgent need for empirical and monitoring data for proactive IAS management and NBS implementation present an important opportunity for synergistic and strategic monitoring. Where monitoring data are critical to NBS research and development [18], they are also a key part of modeling and predicting the spread of IAS [108]. Consequently, from a logistical point of view, funding for IAS management could be leveraged to finance necessary monitoring of the outcomes of different NBS projects, where existing support for mandatory performance monitoring may fall short [18].…”

Section: Prevent and Control Non-native Species Invasionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Where monitoring data are critical to NBS research and development [18], they are also a key part of modeling and predicting the spread of IAS [108]. Consequently, from a logistical point of view, funding for IAS management could be leveraged to finance necessary monitoring of the outcomes of different NBS projects, where existing support for mandatory performance monitoring may fall short [18]. In either case, citizen science efforts supported by mobile apps could make substantial contributions to such biodiversity monitoring at potentially lower cost [109].…”

Section: Prevent and Control Non-native Species Invasionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our review has found that many NBS applications can support and synergize with freshwater biodiversity conservation goals, but the empirical data needed to assess the actual degree of PLOS WATER contribution are often lacking. Indeed, very few NBS projects in any context have been quantitatively evaluated for their impacts on, or benefits to, biodiversity [18]. This represents a major knowledge gap and research priority, and simultaneously a major opportunity: as enthusiasm and investment for NBS builds worldwide, biodiversity scientists must seize the opportunity to collaborate with civil and environmental engineers, landscape architects, and other practitioners to collect meaningful biodiversity data on these applications.…”

Section: Knowledge Gaps and Research Prioritiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The potential for nature-based solutions to combat the freshwater biodiversity crisis

et al. 2023

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Enthusiasm for and investments in nature-based solutions (NBS) as sustainable strategies for climate adaptation and infrastructure development is building among governments, the scientific community, and engineering practitioners. This is particularly true for water security and water-related risks. In a freshwater context, NBS may provide much-needed “win-wins” for society and the environment that could benefit imperiled freshwater biodiversity. Such conservation benefits are urgently needed given the ongoing freshwater biodiversity crisis, with declines in freshwater species and their habitats occurring at more than twice the rate of marine or terrestrial systems. However, for NBS to make meaningful contributions to safeguarding freshwater biodiversity, clear links must be established between NBS applications and priorities for conservation. In this paper, we link common water-related NBS to six priority actions for freshwater life established by the conservation science n community, and highlight priority research and knowledge that will be necessary to bring NBS to bear on the freshwater biodiversity crisis. In particular, we illustrate how NBS can play a direct role in restoring degraded aquatic and floodplain ecosystems, enhancing in-stream water quality, and improving hydrological connectivity among freshwater ecosystems. System-level monitoring is needed to ensure that freshwater NBS deliver on their promised benefits for ecosystems and species.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Plos Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Prevent and Control Non-native Species Invasionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Prevent and Control Non-native Species Invasionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Knowledge Gaps and Research Prioritiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The potential for nature-based solutions to combat the freshwater biodiversity crisis

et al. 2023

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Estimating catchment‐scale sediment storage in a large River Basin, Colorado River, USA

Kemper,

Knox,

Raffae

et al. 2024

River Research & Apps

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Catchment‐scale sediment storage is conceptualized as increasing in magnitude downstream, although reach‐scale controls may override this trend. We use empirical data from a literature review and two numerical models to quantitatively estimate sediment storage across the Colorado River Basin, USA. We use assumed alluvial thickness with floodplains delineated in the GFPLAIN model from 30 m digital elevation models. We use the SWAT+ model based on model‐estimated (i) groundwater storage and (ii) sediment storage. Existing studies indicate that sediment stored in floodplains and on low terraces is ~0.3–6 m thick. A first‐order approximation of volumetric storage capacity for natural floodplains is ~105 m3 per km. Sediment storage volumes of floodplains are ~108–1011 m3 over river lengths of 101–103 m. For the modeling estimates, we evaluated sediment storage by stream order and by elevation band within the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basins. Comparisons among the outputs cause us to place more confidence in the GFPLAIN and SWAT+ aquifer volume estimates. Each method includes substantial uncertainty and constitutes a first‐order approximation. Results suggest using 21 and 130 billion cubic meters as approximate lower and upper bounds for total sediment storage in the Upper Basin and 314 and 482 billion cubic meters as approximate lower and upper bounds for the Lower Basin. The largest proportion of sediment is stored in the montane and steppe zones in the Upper Basin and in the Sonoran zone in the Lower Basin.

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An interdisciplinary overview of levee setback benefits: Supporting spatial planning and implementation of riverine nature‐based solutions

van Rees,

Chambers,

Catalano

et al. 2024

WIREs Water

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Nature‐based solutions (NbS, and related concepts like natural infrastructure, Ecosystem‐based Adaptation, and green infrastructure) are increasingly recognized as multi‐benefit strategies for addressing the critical sustainability challenges of the Anthropocene, including the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis. Mainstreaming NbS in professional practice requires strategic, landscape‐level planning integrating multiple sources of benefits and their synergies and trade‐offs. Levee setbacks (LS) are among the best‐studied riverine NbS with recognized benefits for flood risk management, drought resilience, water quality management, recreational opportunities, and ecological restoration for biodiversity. Although awareness of the multifarious benefits of LS as forms of Natural Capital is growing, implementation remains ad‐hoc and opportunistic. To address this critical implementation gap for one major example of NbS, we review and synthesize literature across diverse disciplines to provide an overview of the primary social, economic, and ecological mechanisms that affect the co‐benefit delivery of LS projects. Next, to make this information relevant to NbS practitioners, we link these mechanisms to spatial metrics that can be used to approximate the relative magnitude of project benefits and costs across these mechanisms. Finally, we highlight examples of key synergies and trade‐offs among benefits that should be considered for LS planning. This synthetic approach is intended to familiarize readers with the diverse potential benefits of LS, and provide an understanding of how to select and prioritize potential sites for further study and implementation. Synergies and trade‐offs among important benefit drivers abound, and social equity concerns will be paramount in ensuring the successful implementation of LS and other NbS in the future.This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water Engineering Water > Planning Water Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems

show abstract

A strategic monitoring approach for learning to improve natural infrastructure

Cited by 13 publications

References 83 publications

The potential for nature-based solutions to combat the freshwater biodiversity crisis

The potential for nature-based solutions to combat the freshwater biodiversity crisis

Estimating catchment‐scale sediment storage in a large River Basin, Colorado River, USA

An interdisciplinary overview of levee setback benefits: Supporting spatial planning and implementation of riverine nature‐based solutions

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