Nature-Based SolutionsPub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-05-25DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100345
Fabiola Norambuena , Daniela López , María José Martínez-Harms
{"title":"Constructed wetlands and the rehabilitation of ecosystem services in freshwater ecosystems: A systematic review of influencing factors","authors":"Fabiola Norambuena , Daniela López , María José Martínez-Harms","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100345","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100345","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Freshwater ecosystems have lost up to 75% of their area due to anthropogenic degradation. In this context, constructed wetlands (CWs) are emerging as technologies for the rehabilitation of multiple ecosystem services. Through a systematic review of 84 studies (2005–2023) following the ROSES protocol, this study identifies spatiotemporal trends and influencing factors that influence the rehabilitation of ecosystem services through CWs. Geographically, 62% of the studies were concentrated in the US and China, while South America and Africa remained underrepresented. Ecosystem service assessments focused predominantly on water quality (83%), while supporting (<15%), cultural (<10%), and provisioning (3%) services were less frequently evaluated. The influencing factors for rehabilitation encompassed multiple dimensions: (i) spatiotemporal: geographic concentration and ecosystem type biases; (ii) Contextual: multiple degradation pressures, combination of CWs with complementary interventions, and lack of long-term monitoring (>10 years); (iii) Design and operation: hydraulic parameters (hydraulic retention time, depth, flow rate), vegetation composition (emergent macrophytes), and substrate type (adsorbent materials such as zeolite, ceramsite); (iv) Performance: design-specific removal efficiencies for nutrients, organic matter, and solids; and (v) Assessment of ecosystem services: predominance of water quality regulation and limited representation of cultural, supporting, and provisioning services. Collaborative approaches (governance frameworks, community participation, and innovative financing) are crucial for the long-term sustainability of freshwater ecosystems. Also, maximizing the multifunctionality of CWs requires long-term monitoring, climate-adaptive designs, and participatory governance to enhance their value in the comprehensive rehabilitation of freshwater ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100345"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nature-Based SolutionsPub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-05-17DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100342
Dorothy Julian Nalumu , Owusu Amponsah , Stephen Appiah Takyi , Sergio Altomonte , Elisabetta Rosa
{"title":"Co-producing nature-based solution scenarios to improve water, flood and heat resilience in Ghana's informal settlements","authors":"Dorothy Julian Nalumu , Owusu Amponsah , Stephen Appiah Takyi , Sergio Altomonte , Elisabetta Rosa","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100342","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100342","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Informal settlements in rapidly urbanising African cities continue to face serious social-ecological challenges that affect residents’ well-being and place pressure on local resource systems. Although nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly recognised as promising approaches for improving sustainability in such marginalised areas, there is still limited empirical evidence on their local relevance, feasibility, and community acceptance. This study examined four questions in Dakodwom informal settlement in Kumasi, Ghana: the main social-ecological challenges in the community, the preferred NBS scenarios, the implementation challenges linked to those scenarios, and the possible ways to overcome them. A qualitative case study approach was adopted, using key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observation. The findings show that water scarcity, flooding, and heat stress are the main social-ecological challenges affecting the community. The study further found that underground rainwater harvesting, planting lemon grass along stream banks, and community biogas were the most potential NBS scenarios. These options were preferred because of their perceived collective benefits, their ability to improve everyday provisioning systems, and their connection with existing livelihood practices. However, important barriers to implementation were identified, including technical and cultural concerns, land and space constraints, and weak institutional support at the local government level. To address these challenges, the study suggests hybrid solutions, pilot projects, and stronger local knowledge production and governance support. Taking this case study as an example, the findings provide useful insights for developing more context-responsive and socially grounded NBS approaches in similar informal settlements across comparable urban settings in Africa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100342"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nature-Based SolutionsPub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-05-28DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100346
Floris Boogaard, Daan Rooze, Reinder Brolsma
{"title":"Evaluating the efficiency of permeable pavement: Grass-filled pavers in the Netherlands","authors":"Floris Boogaard, Daan Rooze, Reinder Brolsma","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100346","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100346","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Permeable pavements are implemented at more than thousand locations enabling rainfall infiltration and evapotranspiration of stormwater in The Netherlands. However, the efficiency has not been extensively tested. Therefore, research is conducted using a full-scale infiltration test (FSIT) method to measure the infiltration rate at 33 locations with grass-filled pavements across six Dutch cities. The infiltration rates show a high variation: 50 to 1400 mm/h with a median value of 344 mm/h. This is in line with previously reported infiltration rates of permeable pavers. All measured infiltration rates on permeable pavements are higher than conventional ‘grey’ pavement with infiltration capacities in the range of 3–10 mm/h measured with full-scale infiltration test (FSIT). The infiltration rate decreases when the FSIT is repeated due to higher saturation with a factor between 0.5 and 0.8 (average 0.68 for all tests). The infiltration rate reduces over time after construction but seems to stabilise at a higher level than conventional pavement. The age, soil surface, compaction and vegetation are important factors that influence the infiltration rate. Based on these findings, stormwater managers can design, plan for green infrastructure with more confidence to ensure performance over their intended life span and mitigate the effects of (extreme) rainfall and droughts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100346"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nature-Based SolutionsPub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2025-12-06DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100295
M S Badri Kusuma , Faiz Isma , E Oktariyanto Nugroho , M Bagus Adityawan , Azmeri Azmeri
{"title":"An assessment of mangrove restoration contribution for compound flood risk reduction in built estuary area based on a hydrodynamic model","authors":"M S Badri Kusuma , Faiz Isma , E Oktariyanto Nugroho , M Bagus Adityawan , Azmeri Azmeri","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100295","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100295","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper discusses the effectiveness of mangrove restoration in reducing compound flood risk in the Langsa Estuary. The restoration is proposed by replanting mangroves at the relocated shrimp ponds within the developed estuarine area. The novelty of this study lies in its integrative framework, which simultaneously couples hydrodynamic modelling, sediment–shear stress analysis, and blue-carbon quantification to evaluate the multi-functional performance of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in a tropical estuarine system. Additionally, it quantifies the concomitant increase in blue-carbon stocks generated by these interventions as a major climate-mitigation co-benefit. The methods employed include one- and two-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling using HEC-RAS, hazard-parameter weighting through the Analytic Hierarchy Combination (AHC) approach, and sediment-characteristics and critical-shear-stress analyses for vulnerability assessment. The results demonstrate that the implementation of NbS successfully reduced the average compound flood risk index from 0.963 (moderate) to 0.772 (low), with the most significant reduction observed in areas subjected to intensive mangrove restoration. Furthermore, NbS interventions also increased blue-carbon stocks from 1869.66 tons CO₂-eq (existing) to 2440.33 tons CO₂-eq (post-restoration), representing a 23.38 % increase. Using Indonesia’s regulated carbon-pricing scheme (Rp 30,000 per ton CO₂-eq), this corresponds to an economic increase from Rp 123.0 billion to Rp 164.1 billion (33.4 %). These findings demonstrate that the combined strategy of shrimp-pond relocation and mangrove restoration is an effective, scientifically robust, and economically viable NbS for compound-flood mitigation and climate-change adaptation, offering strong support for sustainable coastal spatial-planning policies in tropical regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100295"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Oblique field spectral measurements for enhanced vegetation cover mapping and sand vegetation discrimination in semi-arid gobi landscapes","authors":"Begzsuren Tumendemberel , Namuun Gantulga , Yukihiro Takahashi , Baljmaa Byambakhand , Margad-Erdene Jargalsaikhan , Erdenebaatar Dashdondog , Turtogtokh Tumenjargal , Tergel Shijirtuya , Bayarsaikhan Uudus","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100300","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100300","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Gobi Desert, although often appearing barren in nadir satellite imagery, contains ecologically significant grasslands with sparse yet vital vegetation. This study investigates how oblique field spectral measurements can enhance vegetation detection and improve discrimination between vegetation and sandy surfaces in semi-arid Gobi landscapes. A key observation is that nadir measurements primarily capture the spectral characteristics of bright sand, whereas oblique views increasingly reveal clear vegetation spectral signatures, even at very low biomass levels. Field measurements were conducted during two separate campaigns in 2023 and 2024, using a multiband Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter (LCTF) camera that captured 33 and 65 spectral bands, respectively, between 460 and 780 nm, across view zenith angles from 0° to 87° and azimuth angles from 0° to 360° Together, these datasets represent the first multi-angular, field-based Bidirectional Reflectance Factor (BRF) measurements of sparse Gobi vegetation spanning a complete azimuth–zenith domain. The 2023 measurements primarily examined spectral variation and angular dependence, whereas the 2024 campaign was designed to confirm these relationships and to construct complete BRF maps. The results reveal pronounced anisotropy in surface reflectance, particularly in the near-infrared (NIR) region, where reflectance increased by up to 20% under oblique angles compared to nadir observations. Vegetation indices such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) rose by up to 64.7% at a view zenith angle of 60°, demonstrating enhanced vegetation signal detection from multi-angular observations. These results provide the first direct evidence that viewing geometry fundamentally controls vegetation detectability in newly vegetated Gobi surfaces. These findings highlight the potential of oblique spectral imaging to enhance vegetation mapping accuracy in arid regions, suggesting that peripheral satellite data, often discarded due to high view zenith angles, may contain valuable information for vegetation monitoring. Such advancements are crucial for developing nature-based solutions that promote sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation in desert ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100300"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146026112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessing hydrological responses to large-scale native forest restoration as a nature-based solution in South-Central Chile under climate change","authors":"Marieta Hernández-Sosa , Mauricio Aguayo , Nicolás Cortés-Torres , Alejandra Stehr , Félix Frances , Ovidio Llompart","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100298","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100298","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forests play a fundamental role in regulating the hydrological cycle and providing essential ecosystem services, functions that are increasingly threatened by climate change and human activities. Chile offers a relevant context for examining the relationship between land use change and hydrological processes, given its history of landscape transformations and growing water stress in the south-central region. Under the RCP8.5 climate scenario, four forest restoration scenarios were simulated using the TETIS hydrological model. These scenarios were designed based on national policies, Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) principles, and social criteria, and applied to two sub-basins of the Imperial River in the Araucanía Region. Our findings show that the combined effects of climate change and land use change produce the largest variations in hydrological processes. Increases in forest cover led to higher evapotranspiration, particularly under exotic plantation scenarios. Although streamflow generally declines, scenarios with native forest restoration in mid-to-upper basin areas provide a buffering effect on streamflow, especially during dry seasons. Large-scale native forest restoration enhances water retention and hydrological stability, whereas plantation-dominated reforestation results in the greatest water losses, particularly in dry years. These results highlight the effectiveness of NbS-oriented native forest restoration in maintaining water security, regulating hydrological flows, and supporting climate adaptation, providing actionable guidance for watershed management and policy development in Chile.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100298"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nature-Based SolutionsPub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-05-20DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100343
Lydie-Stella Koutika , Gilles Freddy Mialoudama , Melanie Toto , Viviane S. Tchichelle Okouma , André Ngoma Mabiala , Evariste Banguissa , Juste Akana , Cyriaque Kouba Nkouamoussou
{"title":"Agroforestry systems: A nature-based solution and ecosystem approach empowering rural communities to tackle climate change","authors":"Lydie-Stella Koutika , Gilles Freddy Mialoudama , Melanie Toto , Viviane S. Tchichelle Okouma , André Ngoma Mabiala , Evariste Banguissa , Juste Akana , Cyriaque Kouba Nkouamoussou","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100343","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100343","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agroforestry systems have been promoted as a powerful tool to empower rural communities, especially women, to address climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, land (soil) and ecosystem degradation in the coastal plains surrounding Pointe-Noire, the second largest city and economic hub of the Republic of the Congo. In this area, as in the rest of the country, slash-and-burn agriculture prevails and exacerbates these interconnected environmental challenges. Socio-economic surveys were conducted in six selected villages, together with soil analyses. This approach allows the identification of knowledge gaps, implementation barriers, and opportunities, while the evaluation of soil attributes aims to support and sustain the agroforestry systems (AFS) implementation.</div><div>The study reveals a crucial need for training and the weak involvement of natives, as 87.6 % of respondents lack knowledge of AFS and 88 % are non-native farmers with minimal agricultural training. Nutrient-poor soils (SOM < 4 %; CEC < 2 cmolc kg<sup>–1</sup>; and humification <10 % in the 0–5 cm layer) are potentially favourable for the successful implementation of AFS which may help strengthen climate adaptation. Nevertheless, lack of knowledge, insufficient policy support, and inadequate infrastructure remain major constraints.</div><div>This study proposes a framework to address environmental challenges and major local constraints while promoting training, native involvement, and gender equity through AFS to support its sustainable implementation. The research highlights the potential efficiency of combatting the harmful effects of climate change and food insecurity through the AFS implementation, combined with scientific and traditional knowledge and inclusive collaboration. This approach will ultimately support climate change mitigation and adaptation, and food security for sustainable development in the Congolese coastal plains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100343"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nature-Based SolutionsPub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-05-17DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100340
Maman Supratman , Muhammad Syahril Badri Kusuma , Arno Adi Kuntoro , Muhammad Cahyono , Deni Septiadi , Hadi Kardhana
{"title":"Flood risk reduction based on The Green Infrastructure implementation plan in South Central Business of Jakarta","authors":"Maman Supratman , Muhammad Syahril Badri Kusuma , Arno Adi Kuntoro , Muhammad Cahyono , Deni Septiadi , Hadi Kardhana","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100340","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2026.100340","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Infiltration well is the only mandatory green infrastructure to reduce the risk of pluvial flood in Jakarta in the last decade. This study aims to assess the impact of the performance of infiltration wells implementation in drainage scale to reduce the pluvial flood in one of the major business center of South Jakarta named Kemang raya. The study utilizes an integrated approach, combining hydrological and hydraulic models with the rational method and flood analysis through HEC-RAS-1D2D and illustrating the findings using ArcGIS software. Model calibration results, based on flood depth data, yielded a Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) value of 0.86, indicating strong model performance. Flood risk assessment was conducted based on the Neighbourhood Association (NA), using parameters of hazard, vulnerability, and capacity indexes. This study used several scenarios of flood risk assessment including existing condition, intervention with infiltration wells, combining with storage and drainage normalization. The findings indicate that the inclusion of interventions involving infiltration wells, reservoirs, and the normalization of the drainage network effectively decreased the flood risk from 56% high, 25% medium, and 19% low categories to an acceptable level over the whole NA region. Therefore, we conclude that relying solely on mandatory infiltration wells cannot sufficiently lower the flood risk in Kemang to a low level. Furthermore, it is found that the implementation of infiltration well could only effectively decrease the pluvial flood risk to the allowable level when it combined with other types of Green Infrastructure (GI) and Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS). The findings of this study provide essential insights for the Jakarta Water Resources and City Spatial Planning Agency to reformulate effective and adaptable strategies aimed at reducing the risk of pluvial flooding in the Kemang area, based on a five-year rainfall return period.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100340"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148167958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nature-Based SolutionsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-08-10DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100262
Carolyn Petersen , Jeppe Læssøe , Duncan Russel , Sebastian Elze , Ellen Banzhaf
{"title":"Interactive walkable floor maps as a science-policy-interface tool for nature-based solutions","authors":"Carolyn Petersen , Jeppe Læssøe , Duncan Russel , Sebastian Elze , Ellen Banzhaf","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100262","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100262","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article investigates the use of Interactive Walkable Floor maps (IWFs) for exploring Nature-based Solutions (NbS) at the science-policy interface in three European city case studies. Using qualitative data from educational experiments and policy workshops, it investigates the use of IWFs for collaborative knowledge production between (natural and social) scientists, local practitioners and policy makers. This data is analysed through a conceptual framework adapted to examine policy learning outcomes. This article finds IWFs operated as an effective science-policy interface tool in two ways: a) interactions between scientists, educational researchers and practitioners influenced the design of the IWFs and facilitated local policy learning outcomes. b) The engagement of local NbS practitioners with social scientists led to collaborative policy learning outcomes, contributing futures-oriented spatial contextualisation and locally grounded policy learning. These are likely to be important for fostering policy change to tackle environmental problems as experienced by communities at local level.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100262"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144867162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nature-Based SolutionsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-06-24DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100249
Alan Puttock, Roger E. Auster, Naomi Gatis, Richard E. Brazier
{"title":"Human, or nature-led? A spectrum of nature-based solutions","authors":"Alan Puttock, Roger E. Auster, Naomi Gatis, Richard E. Brazier","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100249","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100249","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the face of a global climate and biodiversity crisis, alongside intensifying natural hazards, there is growing interest in solutions that work with nature rather than against it—often referred to as Nature-based Solutions (NbS).</div><div>NbS encompass a spectrum of approaches addressing diverse challenges. Based on our research in water resources, landscape management, and climate mitigation, in this perspective piece we identify two forms of NbS: (1) human-led interventions (H<img>NbS) that are actively designed and maintained, and (2) nature-led solutions (N<img>NbS) that allow natural processes to function with minimal human intervention.</div><div>Drawing on our experience working with practitioners and policymakers, we highlight four key factors influencing the uptake and implementation of H<img>NbS and N<img>NbS: (1) the need for certainty, (2) balancing co-benefits and risks, (3) governance structures, and (4) societal perceptions of NbS.</div><div>We propose that viewing NbS on a spectrum—from human-led to nature-led—offers a valuable framework for integrating these approaches alongside engineered solutions in policy and management. Recognising and leveraging the strengths of nature-led solutions can enhance sustainable, multi-benefit resilience in the face of environmental challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100249"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}