Nature-based solutions (NbS) build upon the proven contribution of well-managed and diverse ecosystems to enhance resilience of human societies. They include alternatives to techno-industrial solutions that aim to enhance social-ecological integration by providing simultaneous benefits to nature (such as biodiversity protection and green/blue space) and society (such as ecosystem services and climate resiliency). Yet, many NbS exhibit aspects of a technological or engineered ecosystem integrated into nature; this techno-ecological coupling has not been widely considered. In this work, our aim is to investigate this coupling through a high-level and cross-disciplinary analysis of NbS for water security (quantity, quality, and/or water-related risk) across the spectrums of naturalness, biota scale, and benefits to nature and society. Within the limitations of our conceptual analysis, we highlight the clear gap between “nature” and “nature-based” for most NbS. We present a preliminary framework for advancing innovation efforts in NbS towards maximizing benefits to both nature and society, and offer examples in biophysical innovation and innovation to maximize techno-ecological synergies (TES).
Plants play important roles in maintaining air quality and biogeochemical cycles, although many mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recently, spontaneous production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been reported from the condensation of water vapor as microdroplets. Here, we report detection of H2O2 in proximity to plants undergoing photosynthesis in a closed environment, confirmed using commercial peroxide test strips and spectrophotometric titration. Our results have potential major implications for the role of plant-mediated atmospheric cleansing, climate change, and urban and indoor air quality.
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