The science, policy and practice of nature-based solutions: An interdisciplinary perspective

Neßhöver, Carsten; Assmuth, Timo; Irvine, Katherine N.; Rusch, Graciela M.; Waylen, Kerry A.; Delbaere, Ben; Haase, Dagmar; Jones-Walters, Lawrence; Keune, Hans; Kovács, Eszter; Krauze, Kinga; Külvik, Mart; Rey, Freddy; Dijk, Jiska Joanneke van; Vistad, Odd Inge; Wilkinson, Mark; Wittmer, Heidi

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.106

Cited by 812 publications

(523 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Tree match results for both methods for all four comparable reference cities are shown in Appendix A. Because this study's objective is focused on carbon storage and sequestration, we used this second method since tree carbon is a function of a tree's species, size, and other characteristics [13]. The criteria values (Appendix A) [40] were then normalized to allow for direct comparison among all listed criteria.…”

Section: Modeling Carbon Sequestration and Co-benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although recent studies and reviews on the use of nature-based solutions have discussed in great detail their potential and application in the European Union and its temperate climates, these discussions have all but excluded their application in Neotropical cities of the developing world [12,13]. Indeed, given the interdisciplinary focus and multiple functions of the nature-based solution approach in addressing not only climate change but other socio-economic problems, such an approach by definition is more warranted in tropical regions of Latin America and Asia where access to resources, employment, green spaces, and quality of life is often inequitable [7,9,17].…”

Section: Carbon Offset In Medellinmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does “Greening” of Neotropical Cities Considerably Mitigate Carbon Dioxide Emissions? The Case of Medellin, Colombia

et al. 2017

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Cities throughout the world are advocating highly promoted tree plantings as a climate change mitigation measure. Assessing the carbon offsets associated with urban trees relative to other climate change policies is vital for sustainable development, planning, and solving environmental and socio-economic problems, but is difficult in developing countries. We estimated and assessed carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) storage, sequestration, and emission offsets by public trees in the Medellin Metropolitan Area, Colombia, as a viable Nature-Based Solution for the Neotropics. While previous studies have discussed nature-based solutions and explored urban tree carbon dynamics in high income countries, few have been conducted in tropical cities in low-middle income countries, particularly within South America. We used a public tree inventory for the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley and an available urban forest functional model, i-Tree Streets, calibrated for Colombia's context. We found that CO 2 offsets from public trees were not as effective as cable cars or landfills. However, if available planting spaces are considered, carbon offsets become more competitive with cable cars and other air quality and socio-economic co-benefits are also provided. The use of carbon estimation models and the development of relevant carbon accounting protocols in Neotropical cities are also discussed. Our nature-based solution approach can be used to better guide management of urban forests to mitigate climate change and carbon offset accounting in tropical cities lacking available information.

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Section: Modeling Carbon Sequestration and Co-benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Carbon Offset In Medellinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does “Greening” of Neotropical Cities Considerably Mitigate Carbon Dioxide Emissions? The Case of Medellin, Colombia

et al. 2017

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“…In line with that, the ecosystem service approach can assist in designing nature-based solutions by showing alternatives to technology based infrastructure, or in case of interventions that involve the manipulation of ecosystems foster solutions that could use nature e.g. green roofs or green walls (Neßhöver et al, 2017). The possibility to point out management options to maintain ecosystem services or the connection of ecosystems despite construction gives an argument to include all classes of urban structures into the assessment of ecosystem service potentials.…”

Section: Which Urban Structures Can Be Differentiated As a Starting Pmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, the proposed classification natural, managed, constructed and overbuilt ecosystems in relation to differing ecosystem definition might serve as an orientation towards a more transparent reporting, which is generally of importance as the challenge of framing "nature" applies in other contexts as well (e.g. nature-based solutions Neßhöver et al, 2017).…”

Section: Which Urban Structures Can Be Differentiated As a Starting Pmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does the Ecosystem Service Concept Reach its Limits in Urban Environments?

Beichler

Bastian²,

Haase

et al. 2017

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There is a rapidly growing body of literature on the theory about the ecosystem service concept and the practical assessment of ecosystem services in different contexts ranging from natural to urban environments. Yet, where does the concept reach its limits? This paper critically reflects the application of the ecosystem service concept in urban environments illustrating the handling of urban structures (incl. built-up areas) and the risk that the normative principle of the concept could be missed. It is shown that in theory urban structures refer to a variety of ecosystem concepts. As a starting point for ecosystem service assessments, these could be classified into natural, managed, constructed and overbuilt systems. Since ecosystem service concepts do not directly refer to a specific ecosystem definition, but to biophysical structures and processes, all of these classes could be included. However, the dependency on context and scale makes a differentiation in practical ecosystem services assessment challenging. We conclude that the ecosystem service concept does not reach its limits in urban environments, but urban environments represent an extreme case characterized by multifunctionality and a high degree of modification that enables to uncover research challenges applying in any environment. There is a need for a more transparent reporting of theoretical and methodological assumptions to facilitate the comparability between ecosystem service assessments. Comprehensive approaches that consider multiple ecosystem services and include human input, human modification, the ecosystem status as well as their interactions are required to understand the spatial relations between ecosystem services delivered by different ecosystems.

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“…This term is based on the ecosystem services concept but with a strong and explicit emphasis on the benefits associated with human-altered spatial patterns and locally perceived values [12]. We recognize that our focus is related to the idea of nature-based solutions [13,14], defined as "solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits" [15] (p. 1). By using the term landscape-inclusive, we want to emphasize the importance of a landscape approach [16], in which the landscape is a local to regional social-ecological system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Could Companies Engage in Sustainable Landscape Management? An Exploratory Perspective

Opdam

Steingröver

2018

Sustainability

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Current concepts that aim to align economic development with sustainability, such as the circular and green economy, often consider natural systems as externalities. We extend the green economy concept by including the landscape as the provider of social, economic and environmental values. Our aim is to explore how companies could engage in creating landscape-inclusive solutions for sustainable landscapes. We propose a conceptual model of the relationship between companies and landscape services based on a demand for landscape benefits by companies, implications for wider society. We present a short overview of how scientists addressed the role of companies in landscape-inclusive solutions. We also give some examples taken from the World Wide Web to illustrate the variety of ways in which companies already invest in landscape services. Our findings suggest that the relationship between companies and landscapes is not yet strongly recognized in sustainability science. However, examples from practice show that some companies do recognize the added values of landscape services, to the extent that they invest in landscape management. We conclude that future research should provide information on the added value of landscape-inclusive solutions to companies, and increase their capacity to engage in regional social-ecological networks.

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The science, policy and practice of nature-based solutions: An interdisciplinary perspective

Cited by 812 publications

References 79 publications

Does “Greening” of Neotropical Cities Considerably Mitigate Carbon Dioxide Emissions? The Case of Medellin, Colombia

Does “Greening” of Neotropical Cities Considerably Mitigate Carbon Dioxide Emissions? The Case of Medellin, Colombia

Does the Ecosystem Service Concept Reach its Limits in Urban Environments?

How Could Companies Engage in Sustainable Landscape Management? An Exploratory Perspective

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