Year: 2021
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: A variety of landscape-level planning approaches relevant to NbS exist or are emerging.These include the Ecosystem Approach, Local Plans, Local Natural Capital Plans, Catchment Management Plans, Landscape Enterprise Networks, the Nature Recovery Network and Local Nature Recovery Strategies, Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs), Farmer Clusters and forthcoming environment and green growth strategies across the UK.These participatory, interdisciplinary and evidence-based approaches aim to balance conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources with fair and equitable sharing of the benefits and also the potential to contribute climate change solutions. Key message: The multiple benefits of NbS require careful spatial and project planning to deliver multi-sectoral benefits. GETTING THE RIGHT EVIDENCE FOR NBSKnowledge and evidence about the opportunities and effectiveness of different NbS interventions is lacking.For example, techniques for measuring carbon sequestration are well established in a research context, but differ between habitats and, often with a site-specific context, are rarely used for evaluating wider environment management or large-scale monitoring and surveys.This affects our ability to incorporate NbS into project-based carbon accounting -which may hamper the use of carbon credit finance, if site carbon fluxes cannot be measured or accurately estimated.Key research gaps are summarised in Appendix 2.Examples include the relative benefits of natural woodland regeneration versus afforestation as a NbS, and what the appropriate management standards are for the latter.The criteria and standards required for an activity to be deemed as NbS must be clear and strengthened to ensure that projects deliver climate, biodiversity and human benefits.Applied research across disciplines will be key for NbS innovation and evaluation.Whilst this may attract some private funding, strong government funding will be necessary, including to provide assurance of independence from vested interests.It is also necessary to overcome barriers often experienced in getting scientific research accepted, understood and translated effectively into policy and practice.This includes the use of academic vocabulary by ecologists and conservationists, the promotion of tools and models that are complex and difficult to understand, and failure to capture the inherent value of nature in economic models.Characteristics of scientific assessments that have successfully influenced policymaking include a multi-disciplinary approach, involvement of decision makers and other stakeholders in the assessment process, a clear statement of the implications for human wellbeing and effective communication, both directly and indirectly via the media, for example, with decision makers and the public.Key message: There are knowledge gaps and uncertainties which hamper the more widespread use of NbS.These knowledge gaps are a barrier to developing the full potential of NbS for climate, nature and people.NbS/Habitat Climate change mitigation potential Climate change adaptation potential Biodiversity potential Specific policy recommendations Saltmarsh Establishment of saltmarsh habitats will provide sequestration and burial of carbon from local, marine, freshwater and terrestrial sources in saltmarsh sediment.Saltmarshes provide coastal protection from sea-level rise and storms.Saltmarsh provides a high biodiversity coastal habitat especially for many bird species.Establishment of more saltmarsh, as proposed in existing shoreline management plans and Climate Change Committee targets.
Authors: Dunn, Christian, Burden, Annette, Chamberlain, Bethany, Danek, Sid, Evans, Christopher, Freeman, Chris, Harvey, Rachel, Proctor, Sarah, Walker, Jonathan
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDGs: Life on land, Climate action
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3187097317