Study #34

Figure: Nature based solutions in land management.

Nature-based solutions insights - When Nature Leads, Ecosystems Recover

In 2018, researchers led by Saskia Keesstra conducted a global review across case studies in Spain, Slovenia, Iceland, Ethiopia, and Sweden, and found something powerful: working with nature consistently outperforms working against it.

Their study showed that Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), from organic farming to wetland restoration, restore ecosystem services by improving soil health and reconnecting landscapes. These approaches reduce flood risk, boost soil moisture, and limit erosion by slowing runoff and enhancing natural processes. Instead of concrete barriers, landscapes are reshaped to absorb water. Instead of degraded soils, living systems rebuild fertility. Across diverse regions, these solutions proved cost-effective and long-term strategies for tackling land degradation and hydrological risks.

NBS aren't just “green alternatives” they're systemic fixes. By restoring soil functions and landscape connectivity, they strengthen resilience, support biodiversity, and align directly with sustainable development goals.

Keesstra, S., Nunes, J. P., Novara, A., Finger, D., Avelar, D., Kalantari, Z., & Cerdà, A. (2018). The superior effect of nature based solutions in land management for enhancing ecosystem services. Science of the Total Environment, 610–611, 997–1009.
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