Nature-Based SolutionsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-08-09DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100264
A. Jonoski , M.H. Ali , C. Bertini , I. Popescu , S.J. van Andel , A. Lansu
{"title":"Model-based design of drought-related climate adaptation strategies using nature-based solutions: case study of the Aa of Weerijs catchment in the Netherlands","authors":"A. Jonoski , M.H. Ali , C. Bertini , I. Popescu , S.J. van Andel , A. Lansu","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100264","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article presents a methodology for designing and assessing drought-related Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) adaptation strategies on a catchment scale using an integrated hydrological model that simultaneously provides surface water and groundwater results. The Aa of Weerijs catchment, shared between Belgium and the Netherlands, was used for demonstrating the methodology. The model was developed with the MIKE SHE modelling system, using a combination of globally available and local data. Different types of NBS (ditch blocking, infiltration ponds, wetland restoration and heathland restoration) were combined spatially to develop two adaptation strategies with different spatial extents. Their design was based on drought-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked with water management actions by key stakeholders (bans on water extraction), both on the surface and groundwater. The KPI values were obtained by model simulations under current and future climate conditions, and with the implementation of the two adaptation strategies. The results show that the strategy with a larger spatial extent gives better KPI values, almost eliminating days with no groundwater availability in the downstream part of the catchment, reaching the goal of increased infiltration and groundwater recharge. Additionally, our results show that there is significant accumulation of positive effects from upstream to downstream.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100264"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144840720","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: 2025-06-06DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100240
Laura Pott , Yaron Hershkovitz , Sebastian Birk
{"title":"Mapping multiple benefits in large-scale freshwater restoration: A theory of change approach","authors":"Laura Pott , Yaron Hershkovitz , Sebastian Birk","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100240","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study explores the application of a Theory of Change (ToC) framework in 18 large-scale freshwater restoration projects within the context of the European Green Deal and the recently adopted Nature Restoration Regulation. By leveraging a participatory approach, the research examines the effects of freshwater restoration measures across three ecosystem clusters: peatlands and wetlands, small streams, and large rivers. In a conceptual model, restoration measures were connected with transdisciplinary goals, assessing biophysical, social and economic outcomes. The findings highlight the effectiveness of Nature-based Solutions in advancing climate resilience, biodiversity gains, and social equity while identifying potential trade-offs and negative effects. The ToC framework proved valuable in guiding restoration planning, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and enabling adaptive management in accordance with the Nature Restoration Regulation’s requirements. However, the study underscores the need for clearly defined quantitative targets to enhance systematic monitoring and evaluation, ensuring full and sustainable alignment with broader European objectives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100240"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144321596","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: 2025-11-16DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100287
Francisca Tapia , András Reith
{"title":"Service design for nature-based solutions: The Bolzano green roof case study","authors":"Francisca Tapia , András Reith","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100287","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100287","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognized as critical components in strengthening urban resilience against climate change impacts. However, their implementation frequently encounters challenges that transcend traditional design methodologies. This research investigates the efficacy of Service Design (SD) as a strategic framework for addressing these implementation challenges, drawing on empirical evidence from a Green Roof intervention in Bolzano South, Italy. This study is guided by the following research question: 'How can Service Design tools improve the early-stage implementation of NbS in urban contexts?' We hypothesize that applying Service Design tools fosters stronger stakeholder engagement and more context-specific, sustainable outcomes in NbS projects.</div><div>Although the direct causal relationship between SD methodologies and improved NbS implementation remains empirically understudied, this research establishes a coherent theoretical connection between these approaches based on their complementary principles. SD enhances implementation through its emphasis on user-centric methodologies and collaborative design frameworks, while simultaneously optimizing intervention durability and effectiveness. The SD focus on iterative development, stakeholder integration, and systems thinking exhibits notable congruence with NbS principles, potentially augmenting both implementation processes and long-term sustainability outcomes.</div><div>By applying SD principles to Green Roof implementation in Bolzano, this research provides a comparative analysis between conventional top-down approaches and collaborative design methodologies. The main objective is to demonstrate how selected SD tools can enhance co-design processes in the Bolzano case study. This case study reveals that SD principles, particularly those related to co-creation processes, facilitate more inclusive and participatory NbS development, especially during initial implementation phases. The Bolzano application demonstrates that this integrated approach significantly enhances stakeholder engagement and contextual adaptation of NbS interventions. Consequently, this paper makes a substantive contribution to the expanding knowledge base concerning innovative methodologies for urban climate resilience and sustainable design practices..</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100287"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617918","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: 2025-08-19DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100266
N Mlalazi , L Chimuka , M D Simatele
{"title":"The effect of compost and moringa leaf extract biostimulant on the phytoremediation of gold mine tailing in South Africa using Chrysopogon Zizanioides (l.) roberty","authors":"N Mlalazi , L Chimuka , M D Simatele","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100266","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the efficacy of compost and Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) in enhancing the phytoremediation potential of vetiver grass on the gold mine tailings storage facilities (TSF) in the Witwatersrand goldfields region in South Africa. We hypothesized that: (1) Concentrations of heavy metals are high on the tailings material, (2) The growth and phytoremediation potential of vetiver grass will be enhanced in compost-amended tailings with MLE application, with the greatest improvement observed at the highest compost amendment rate (30 % > 15 % > 0 %). The TSF indeed exhibited elevated levels of heavy metals, with arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) concentrations surpassing both Soil Screening Values (SSV) 1 and 2, while copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) levels exceeded SSV1, indicating potential environmental and health risks. A factorial split-plot design was employed, with three levels of compost treatment (0 %, 15 %, and 30 %) and either 0 % or 3 % MLE application sprayed on vetiver grass weekly for 16 weeks. The results showed that vetiver grass died in unamended tailings regardless of MLE application. However, there was no significant difference in growth parameters between vetiver planted on 15 % and 30 % compost amendment. The concentrations of As, Cr, Ni, and Cu were higher in the roots than in the leaves across all treatments. Application of MLE significantly reduced metal uptake (As, Cu, Cr, Ni) in vetiver roots in both the 15 % and 30 % compost amendments. But MLE did not affect the metal accumulation in the leaves of the vetiver grass except for a significant decrease in the uptake of As in 30 % compost amendment as well as a significant decrease in Ni in 15 % amendment. Pb was undetected in both leaves and roots. Notably, the application of MLE biostimulant significantly enhanced vetiver biomass in both 15 % and 30 % compost amendment treatments. This study highlights the synergistic benefits of combining compost and MLE, which enhanced phytostabilization by reducing metal uptake into roots while promoting vetiver grass growth. The findings have significant implications for tailings management, pollutant mitigation, bioenergy production, and carbon sequestration, offering a game-changing approach for sustainable and circular economy practices in mine tailings management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100266"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144892042","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: 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100279
Md. Omar Faruk , Irteja Hasan , Joyjit Dey , Mehedi Hasan Ovi , Zarin Tasnim Katha , Md. Osman Goni
{"title":"Nature-based solutions to combat flooding in coastal region of Bangladesh using spatial multi-criteria analysis and remote sensing techniques","authors":"Md. Omar Faruk , Irteja Hasan , Joyjit Dey , Mehedi Hasan Ovi , Zarin Tasnim Katha , Md. Osman Goni","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100279","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100279","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change is causing more frequent and intense rainfall, storms, and floods, challenging traditional flood control measures. In response, Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have gained attention as a flexible and effective way to reduce flood risks while offering additional environmental and social benefits. However, most existing studies focus only on either small-scale or large-scale NBS, and implementation is often confined to urban or rural areas. This narrow approach is insufficient in a hydrologically connected urban-rural catchment, where diverse geography and land use patterns amplify compound flood risks. This study addresses these challenges by developing a holistic approach that integrates multi-scale NBS across connected rural and urban areas. This is especially important for cities like Chittagong, Bangladesh, where space is limited and stormwater from the countryside flows through the inadequate urban drainage systems to the receiving basin. Using Spatial Multi-Criteria Analysis (SMCA), the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), we first mapped flood hazard, based on elevation, rainfall, distance to river, slope, drainage density, soil texture, and geology. The study area was classified into five hazard zones: Very Low (9.24 %), Low (16.84 %), Moderate (23.87 %), High (29.28 %), and Very High (20.77 %). The model demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy, achieving 91.30 % ROC-AUC. Then, a vulnerability map was created using four key influencing factors (land use/land cover, population density, distance to road and NDVI). By multiplying flood hazard and vulnerability data, we generated a detailed Flood Risk Zone (FRZ) map, which shows five risk zones: Very Low (21 %), Low (26 %), Moderate (25 %), High (19 %), and Very High (9 %). Comprehensive Geospatial Analysis (CGA) revealed in-depth geophysical and land use characteristics of each FRZ. Finally, using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), the study identified the best types of NBS for each FRZ, based on the CGA result. The synergistic integration of multi-scaled NBS with existing engineering solutions offers a holistic and comprehensive approach that could collectively reduce surface runoff and inundation in the study area. This research provides clear, location-specific information that can help planners and decision-makers choose and place NBS where they are most needed. The approach can also be used in similar locational contexts and flood risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100279"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145319791","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: 2025-09-22DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100276
Mariana Gabrielle Cangco Reyes , Ching-Pin Tung , Syuan-Jyun Sun
{"title":"Conceptual framework for nature-based solutions: A systematic review and co-occurrence analysis","authors":"Mariana Gabrielle Cangco Reyes , Ching-Pin Tung , Syuan-Jyun Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100276","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100276","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a sustainable approach to addressing complex societal challenges by utilizing natural processes and ecosystems. This study presents a conceptual framework for NbS, critically assessing the current research landscape and mapping out key synergies to inform future strategies. Through a systematic review of 212 peer-reviewed research articles published between 2019 and mid-2025, we identified key trends, emerging themes, and critical knowledge gaps. By employing co-occurrence networks and integrating the authors’ keywords and keywords plus, we reveal the underlying structures of NbS research and highlight the prominence of themes such as green infrastructure, management, and innovation. However, economic effects remain underrepresented in the literature, indicating substantial gaps. We propose a conceptual framework that integrates ecological, social, and governance dimensions, providing a holistic approach for future NbS applications. This conceptual framework aims to guide adaptive, sustainable, and socially inclusive NbS strategies that address both environmental and societal needs more effectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100276"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145219101","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: 2025-06-09DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100245
Gemechis B Mosisa , Bobe Bedadi , Gemedo Dalle , Nega Tassie
{"title":"Nature-based solutions for urban climate resilience: implementation, contribution, and effectiveness","authors":"Gemechis B Mosisa , Bobe Bedadi , Gemedo Dalle , Nega Tassie","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Driven by the need to enhance urban climate resilience, there is a growing preference for nature-based solutions (NbS) over conventional architecture, mostly attributed to their ecological benefits and economic advantages. This systematic review analyzed global knowledge and research gaps regarding the implementation, contribution, and effectiveness (ICE) of NbS. Using Publish and Perish version 8 software, across Google Scholar and Elsevier Scopus, 749 publications were initially retrieved (2014 – 2025), with 84 (11.20 % of the initial search results) meeting inclusion criteria. Additionally, a qualitative analysis was conducted on a sample of 26 publications, selected from the initial 84 articles. The review demonstrates that though NbS hold substantial promise for optimizing urban climate resilience, their successful implementation is contingent upon addressing a complex relationship between factors like data-driven planning, stakeholder awareness and engagement, resource availability, institutional framework, and context-specific considerations. Moreover, it highlights the significance of integrating ecological, economic, and social dimensions, tailoring interventions to local needs, and utilizing rigorous evaluation methodologies to ensure the effectiveness and long-term contribution of NbS in fostering resilient urban environments to the climate change impacts. Though the scope of this review was constrained by various factors like language and database, it identified significant research gaps, including limited geographical case studies, reliance on secondary data and sources, methodological inconsistencies, lack of standardized approaches, and inadequate understanding of the complex functions of NbS in urban climate resilience. For instance, of the 26 qualitative sample publications selected for this systematic review, almost 54 % employed only secondary data sources, and eight publications lacked clear and specified data analysis techniques. Hence, future research should prioritize primary data, robust methodologies, transdisciplinary collaboration, and a broader geographical focus to promote the effectiveness and successful implementation of NbS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100245"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144306723","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: 2025-06-08DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100246
Defe Rameck, Matsa Mark, Mavugara Roberta
{"title":"Households’ perceptions on resilience building interventions towards enhancing community socio-economic development in Southern Zimbabwe","authors":"Defe Rameck, Matsa Mark, Mavugara Roberta","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100246","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100246","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study assessed households’ perceptions on the contribution of climate resilience interventions to attain community socio-economic development in Southern Zimbabwe. The researcher adopted a mixed method design which utilized both qualitative and quantitative paradigms. Data was collected from 352 households from the 4 Enhancing Community Resilience and Sustainability Projects (ECRAS) wards. Qualitative data was subjected to content analysis while quantitative data was subjected to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Climate change and variability impacts in Mwenezi District of Southern Zimbabwe have contributed to failure of the livestock production sector and crop production sector which are the main livelihood options of households in the District. Eventually this retarded community socio-economic development. In response, Government departments, Non-Governmental Organisations and communities collaborated to initiate interventions to manage climate change impacts on community socio-economic development. The efforts made by the stakeholders have evidenced that building climate resilience is contributing significantly to community socio-economic development. The interventions initiated have contributed to food security and dietary diversity, clean water availability, enhanced livestock production and improvement on the community sanitation and hygiene. The households interviewed and some stakeholders’ perceived resilience building as a panacea to climate change induced impacts in communities since households largely depend on climate sensitive sectors. The study therefore recommends adoption of climate smart interventions for all development agendas since majority of households in Southern Zimbabwe largely depend on climate sensitive sectors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100246"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144279781","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.2025.100247
Janina Haupt , Jochen Hack , Antje Backhaus
{"title":"Targeted irrigation to improve the cooling potential of urban trees as a nature-based solution: Insights from a field trail in Hanover","authors":"Janina Haupt , Jochen Hack , Antje Backhaus","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100247","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100247","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With regard to the rising temperatures due to climate change and the intensification of the urban heat island effect (UHIE), nature-based solutions (NbS) are becoming increasingly important. In particular trees can mitigate the effects of the UHIE by shading and through transpiration. As trees suffering from heat and drought decrease their cooling properties under stress, this study investigates the effects of supplementary irrigation to increase the cooling capacities. The research focus is on how different irrigation practices can directly support the cooling effects of young urban trees as a NbS. The novelty of our study is the direct field trial comparison of irrigation quantities in combination with the quantification of their microclimatic effects. From May to September 2024, we observed three groups of <em>Tilia cordata</em> (unirrigated, monthly irrigated, weekly irrigated) in the city of Hanover, Germany, and measured air temperature and relative humidity (RH) within the tree crowns. The results show, that an investment in tree irrigation results in an increase of cooling capability of up to -0.67 °C and up to +5.98 %RH on hot days over 30 °C. Urban tree care is more than just keeping trees alive by minimizing water use, trees are a valuable resource that we can benefit from by using water wisely. Future-oriented tree irrigation, which not only ensures the survival of the trees but also promotes their natural functions, optimises the urban climate in a natural way.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100247"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517100","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: 2025-10-18DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100281
Marina Bakhtina , Line Rosef , Sissel Torre , Hans Martin Hanslin
{"title":"Shoot and root growth in response to hydrological fluctuations in the drought-tolerant Knautia arvensis and wet-tolerant Lythrum salicaria","authors":"Marina Bakhtina , Line Rosef , Sissel Torre , Hans Martin Hanslin","doi":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100281","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100281","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plants in raingardens are important for evapotranspiration and maintaining infiltration properties. Hydrological conditions, however, fluctuate between dry and saturated, strongly affecting plant performance and limiting plant selection in design. This study experimentally assessed whether fluctuating hydrology impacts growth, flowering, and root morphology in the drought-tolerant <em>Knautia arvensis</em> and the wet-tolerant <em>Lythrum salicaria</em>. The hydrological regimes included repeated cycles of dry and wet conditions: Drought regime with cycles of a drought period followed by a single watering; Flooding regime with cycles of 72-hour flooding and a 48-hour drained period; and a subsequent Drought+Flooding regime with cycles of 72-hour flooding followed by a drought period. <em>Knautia</em> reduced growth under flooding cycles, while <em>Lythrum</em> reduced growth and flowering under drought cycles. Repeated consecutive drought and flooding cycles negatively influenced the growth of both species in the same way, with flooding affecting <em>Knautia</em> and drought affecting <em>Lythrum. Lythrum</em> showed more plasticity than <em>Knautia</em>, allocating more biomass to roots during drought cycles. Flooding cycles reduced root length in <em>Knautia</em>, while the drought cycles and consecutive Drought+Flooding cycles increased root diameter and decreased root length in <em>Lythrum</em>. Both species had coarse roots (> 2 mm) to support infiltration through biopores. If we assume that raingardens have free drainage and only rarely flood, drought-tolerant traits are more important. However, wet-tolerant species can benefit the system, especially through higher water use. This research contributes to the ecological understanding of plant responses to fluctuating hydrology, enabling a better plant selection for effective raingardens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100945,"journal":{"name":"Nature-Based Solutions","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100281"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416036","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}