Identifying barriers to nature-based strategies in water management

What is it about?

Dams and reservoirs can help in managing water and preventing related disasters. These structures are together called gray infrastructure. But forests and wetlands can also help similarly. They can lock in and reduce the surface flow of water. This, in turn, can reduce floods and droughts. Such ecosystems are together called green infrastructure. The projects that restore and protect this green infrastructure are called nature-based solutions (NBS). NBS may use only green or a combination of green and gray infrastructure. In NBS, the value of an ecosystem is measured by analyzing the services it can provide. Does the ecosystem prevent floods and droughts? Does the ecosystem provide direct benefits like the protection of wildlife? Is it resilient to the effects of climate change? This understanding of benefits and risks is called a natural assurance scheme (NAS). This chapter in the book titled "Greening Water Risks" suggests how to identify barriers to NBS and improve NAS.

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Photo by James Park on Unsplash

Photo by James Park on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The success of NBS depends on many factors. It depends on the ecosystem and the people involved in the project. It depends on the tools and technologies used in the project as well. The presence of many factors makes understanding risks related to NBS difficult. Identifying barriers to NBS can help better understand risks. This can, in turn, save valuable time and money. This chapter argues that NAS and NBS can benefit from understanding three sets of factors. First, understanding technology can help see problems in obtaining knowledge, evidence, and tools for implementation. Second, understanding institutions involved in a project can help see barriers to trust and acceptance and how to manage uncertainty and improve coordination. Third, understanding investments in the project can help see problems in realizing the value of projects. KEY TAKEAWAY: Understanding technology, institutions, and investment can help to identify barriers to implementing NBS and improving NAS. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: •SDG 6 : Clean Water and Sanitation •SDG 13 : Climate Action •SDG 15 : Life on Land •SDG 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities •SDG 9 : Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure