Brief: Nature-based Solutions Typologies and Ecological Processes

Today, nature-based solutions (NbS) are widely recognised in scientific and policy domains for addressing societal challenges. This follows the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) definition: “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits”.

However, a significant gap exists in our understanding of the economic implications of NbS, which is crucial for informed resource allocation and financing decisions by policymakers and practitioners.

To bridge a part of this knowledge gap, Invest4Nature has compiled a report providing a comprehensive exploration of NbS typologies across six distinct landscape types and thematic areas, along with a list of valuation methods. It looks at the costs and benefits of NBS and different ways to measure the various values people attribute to NBS benefits. This work offers valuable insight to practitioners and others seeking to have a better understanding of NbS and their economic implications. 

This brief presents a comprehensive outline of 1) the NbS typologies of generic and specific actions that can be done to reduce vulnerability to negative impacts on an ecosystem and 2) the ecological processes underpinning NbS interventions across six distinct landscape-thematic areas:

• Freshwater management
• Agriculture
• Urban areas
• Mountain areas
• Coastal areas
• Forested areas