Vision-Based Decision-Making Methodology for Riparian Forest Restoration and Flood Protection Using Nature-Based Solutions

Abstract

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions that use natural processes in a resource efficient manner to solve societal challenges. The lack of supportive legislature, and financial, communication and social barriers complicate the process of NBS implementation. It is an urgent need to develop approaches to design and implement NBS that would act as drivers to overcome potential barriers and enhance the social acceptability of the project. The vision-based decision-making methodology and participatory process created in this study has been carried out in the Koiliaris Critical Zone Observatory in Crete to design erosion and flood protection NBS and restore the riparian forest. The methodology consists of four distinct steps as follows: i) develop a vision of the area, ii) conduct a baseline assessment study, iii) NBS design and co-design, and iv) procurement and implementation. The methodology overcame multiple barriers because of the effective stakeholder engagement and the vision “drove” the project and created the necessary consensus that is necessary to achieve the objective of converting privately owned prime agricultural land to riparian forest. It offers an exemplar of a functional ecosystem restoration project that protects the river in a sustainable way, improves its biodiversity and water quality and improves the quality of life and social cohesion.

Assessing Riparian Areas of Greece—An Overview

“…The many ecosystem services they offer to human welfare should make it a priority in regard to conservation, but at the same time make it difficult due the many stakeholders that have an interest on them. This is why new innovative practices based on ecosystem-based approaches or nature-based solutions need to be implemented [32,[94][95][96]. Ecosystem-based approaches include several different management actions that are based on the principles and process of natural ecosystems with the long-term objective to reduce the vulnerability while also increasing the resilience of communities [97].…”

A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Understand Hydrologic and Geochemical Processes at Koiliaris Critical Zone Observatory

“…During extreme events, 70% of the precipitation becomes surface runoff, creating tremendous flood events that need to be managed. Modeling such events is of the upmost importance, considering the impacts of climate change [40] and the need for adaptation measures to climate change and risk management [42]. Finally, the geochemical response of the watershed is closely linked to the geomorphology and hydrologic response, justifying in this way the weathering rates determined for the catchment.…”

“…The surface runoff was estimated at 97.9 mm and the surface runoff of the extended karst area at 179.6 mm. More than 5 million m 3 of water were exported from the Koiliaris watershed in one day generating a significant flood in the area [42]. This means that 70% of the rainfall becomes surface runoff.…”

Nature-Based Solutions for Optimizing the Water–Ecosystem–Food Nexus in Mediterranean Countries

“…To develop such a vision, it is critical to identify the environmental and ecological problems of the region and define a holistic solution that will add value to the region and enhance its resilience. This vision brings local stakeholders and decision-makers on board to materialize the project [34]. The identified challenges the area/basin under consideration is facing regarding the WEF Nexus can be viewed at this stage separately for each component of the Nexus.…”