A Framework for Assessing Benefits of Implemented Nature-Based Solutions

Abstract

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are solutions that can protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems in urban and rural areas, while providing many benefits and co-benefits including stormwater mitigation, biodiversity enhancement, and human well-being. As such, NBS have the potential to alleviate many of the environmental, social, and economic issues that we face today. Grey infrastructure, such as lined trenches and catch basins, pipes, and concrete dikes are frequently used for stormwater management and flood protection, but they do not provide many of the co-benefits that are common with NBS. Grey infrastructure is designed to quickly collect and remove rainwater, whereas NBS keep rainwater where it falls, and where it can be used by the environment. Many stakeholders lack knowledge of the capabilities and benefits of NBS, and as a result, they continue to rely on grey infrastructure in their projects. When information is made available on the benefits and how they can be quantitatively measured, it is hoped that NBS will be promoted to a mainstream infrastructure choice. A valuable way to quantify and highlight the benefits of NBS is by using an evaluation framework. There are several evaluation frameworks that qualitatively assess the potential benefits of possible NBS, however there is a need for quantitative frameworks that can assess the actual benefits (or performance) of implemented (or existing) NBS. This article presents an evaluation framework that aims to quantify the benefits and co-benefits of implemented NBS. The framework involves five main steps: (1) selection of NBS benefit categories, (2) selection of NBS indicators, (3) calculation of indicator values, (4) calculation of NBS grade, and (5) recommendations. The outcome of the framework is a single numerical grade that reflects the benefit functioning for an NBS site and values for each performance indicator. This information may be used by decision makers to determine their budget allocations to expand or construct a new NBS site, to update maintenance plans that will improve the benefits of that site, to set up programs to monitor the NBS benefits and co-benefits over time, and to schedule labour and resources for other NBS projects. The framework was tested and validated on a case study of NBS in Thailand. Through conversations with stakeholders and knowledge of the case study area, relevant categories and indicators were chosen. Using data and information obtained through various means, values for each indicator and the overall NBS grade were calculated. The values revealed which benefits were pronounced, those that were weak, and where improvements were required.

Incorporating stakeholders’ preferences into a multi-criteria framework for planning large-scale Nature-Based Solutions

“…The key resources used to assess the qualitative measure performance include reports, online guides, online tools, case studies and scientific articles (Woods Ballard et al 2007 ; Klijn et al 2013 ; CIRIA 2014 ; The River Restoration Centre 2014 ; NWRM 2015 ; Woods Ballard et al 2015 ; WRT 2016 ; Alves et al 2018a , b ; Bilodeau et al 2018 ; Van Coppenolle et al 2018 ; Leonardo Mantilla Niño 2019 ; Watkin et al 2019 ; UNaLab 2020 ). Some resources include very detailed information on potential impacts of specific measures.…”

The ‘Rocket Framework’: A Novel Framework to Define Key Performance Indicators for Nature-based Solutions Against Shallow Landslides and Erosion

“…The combination of numerical modelling, multicriteria (MCA) and cost-benefit analyses is generally proposed in the literature to undertake such a task (e.g., Raymond et al, 2017). However, only few studies have attempted to combine multiple KPIs in the context of NBS performance to then provide a system of NBS scores or grades (e.g., Watkin et al, 2019). Hence, future studies should strive to address this gap by proposing and validating robust, numerical approaches that combine multiple quantitative and qualitative variables from the KPIs repository with the aim of producing a compound index or score conveying reliable information on NBS performance against landslides and erosion.…”

Can Drones Map Earth Cracks? Landslide Measurements in North Greece Using UAV Photogrammetry for Nature-Based Solutions

“…Bioengineering solutions for landslides include, among others, the use of living materials. Typical examples are the plant/grass seeding, live transplanting, and other approaches such as wattle fences, brush layers, live fascines or crib walls [87,88]. The most common practice is the use of vegetation and especially the tree/shrub species, e.g., Fagus sylvatica and willow (Salix sp.)…”