Nature-based Solutions: New Influence for Environmental Management and Research in Europe

Eggermont, Hilde; Balian, Estelle; Neto, Ana I.; Beumer, Victor; Brodin, Tomas; Claudet, Joachim; Fady, Bruno; Grube, Martín; Keune, Hans; Lamarque, Pénélope; Reuter, Katrin; Smith, Matt; Ham, Chantal van; Weisser, Wolfgang W.; Roux, Xavier Le

doi:10.14512/gaia.24.4.9

Cited by 420 publications

(354 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…By building on and complementing traditional biodiversity conservation and management strategies, nature-based solutions integrate science, policy, and practice, and create biodiversity benefits in terms of diverse, well-managed ecosystems [41]. In this sense, developing cultivated pastures is connected strongly to ideas of nature-based solutions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Two-Step Strategy for Developing Cultivated Pastures in China that Offer the Advantages of Ecosystem Services

Chen

Tang

et al. 2016

Sustainability

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Based on a site experiment on a typical steppe of Inner Mongolia, the short term effects on aboveground biomass, soil water content, soil organic carbon, and soil total nitrogen of four cultivated pastures (CPs) with different compositions of herbaceous species were examined and compared to those of adjacent, natural grassland (NG) enclosed simultaneously. All CPs produced significantly higher aboveground biomass than did the NG after two years of establishment, and the mixed culture of Agropyron cristatum (A. cristatum) and Medicago sativa (M. sativa) produced the highest (312.39% higher than the NG). Without irrigation, soil water content in the 10-20 cm soil layer was also found to be significantly higher in the CPs than in the NG, especially for the mixed cultures of A. cristatum and M. sativa, A. cristatum, M. sativa and Lolium perenne (L. perenne), by 184.25% and 125.97%, respectively. The improvements in soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen in CPs were less obvious and mixed, with different species compositions showing significant increases at different depths. The experimental results suggested that, with carefully selected species compositions and proper farming measures, CPs could have a positive effect on some of the pathways that generate ecosystem services, at least in the short term. We also analyzed the underlying institutional and socioeconomic causes of China's underdevelopment of CPs, and proposed a two-step development strategy. The first is to promote rain-fed CPs on small-hold farms, which require relatively low inputs in fertilizers and labor. The second is to promote large-scale operations, which will require significantly more inputs in land, irrigation, fertilizers, and machinery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Two-Step Strategy for Developing Cultivated Pastures in China that Offer the Advantages of Ecosystem Services

Chen

Tang

et al. 2016

Sustainability

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“…The proposed typology categorises NbS interventions along two gradients: (i) the required level of engineering of biodiversity and ecosystems involved in the NbS; and (ii) the level of enhancement of ecosystem services achievable by the NbS (Eggermont et al, 2015). This typology identifies three main types of NbS:…”

Section: A Typology Of Nbs Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-based solutions to address global societal challenges

Cohen-Shacham¹,

Janzen²,

Maginnis³

et al. 2016

856

150

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“…More recently, the European Commission defined NbS as "actions which are inspired by, supported by or copied from nature" (EC 2015). Thus, NbS puts an explicit emphasis on linking biodiversity conservation with goals for sustainable and climate resilient development (Balian et al 2014;Eggermont et al 2015), and represent innovative, implementable 'solutions'. Moreover, it is highlighted that NbS can be cost-effective and that benefits range from environmental protection to creating jobs and stimulating innovation for a green economy.…”

Section: Definitions Of the Concept And Its Originmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…lists 310 actions as examples of NbS, ranging from the protection and expansion of forest areas to capture gaseous pollutants, planting wind breaks for soil conservation to the protection of urban green spaces or planting of green roofs for various benefits such promotion of biodiversity, carbon storage and stormwater retention. Despite this breadth of concept, Eggermont et al (2015) and Maes and Jacobs (2015) distinguished NbS from conventional engineering approaches for being multifunctional, conserving and adding to the stock of natural capital, and being adaptable and contributing to the overall resilience of landscapes.…”

Section: Main Features and Elements Of Nbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change – Four Shades of Green

Pauleit

Zölch

Hansen

et al. 2017

Theory and Practice of Urban Sustainability Transitions

138

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'Nature-based -solutions' (NbS) aim to use nature in tackling challenges such as climate change, food security, water resources, or disaster risk management. The concept has been adopted by the European Commission in its research programme Horizon 2020 to promote its uptake in urban areas and establish Europe as a world leader of NbS. However, the concept has been defined vaguely. Moreover, its relationships with already existing concepts and approaches to enhance nature and its benefits in urban areas require clarification.Notably, ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), urban green infrastructure (UGI) and ecosystem services (ESS) have gained prominence in academic debates and are increasingly referred to in policy-making. In this chapter main features of each of the concepts, as well as overlaps and differences between them are analysed based on a review of key literature.NbS is the most recent and broadest of the four concepts. Therefore, it may be considered as an umbrella to the other concepts but with a distinct focus on deployment of actions on the ground. EbA is a subset of NbS that is specifically concerned with climate change adaptation via the use of nature. As a planning approach, UGI, on the other hand, can provide strategic guidance for the integration of NbS into

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Nature-based Solutions: New Influence for Environmental Management and Research in Europe

Cited by 420 publications

References 29 publications

A Two-Step Strategy for Developing Cultivated Pastures in China that Offer the Advantages of Ecosystem Services

A Two-Step Strategy for Developing Cultivated Pastures in China that Offer the Advantages of Ecosystem Services

Nature-based solutions to address global societal challenges

Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change – Four Shades of Green

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