BioClimSocial Project partners' NbS initiatives
1. Agroforestry/savannah -
Researchers: N'Golo Abdoulaye Koné and Kolotchèlèma Simon Silué, University Félix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire:
Assessment of nature-based solutions implementation along a phytogeographic and climatic gradients in Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire has always relied mainly on agriculture for its economy, with the associated depletion of natural ecosystems and related biodiversity. After more than six decades of this economy-based agriculture, and despite maintaining its position as the world's largest producer of several crops such as cocoa, cashew nuts, rubber and palm oil, the country is facing increasing erosion of its ecosystems and the harmful effects of climate change. Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer an interesting alternative to address both social challenges and, above all, the shortage of natural ecosystems for agriculture. However, in this country, various NbS, not yet fully listed, are being implemented with varying results. There is very little information on the number and characteristics of these NbS across all the phytogeographical zones of the country. Furthermore, information on their effectiveness, respective costs of implementation, sustainability, rural populations acceptance and, above all, their ecological impact, are lacking. Using a phytogeographical zone and socio-linguistic group-based approach, this study will provide an in-depth understanding of social interactions in the implementation of nature-based solutions.
2. Coastal/marine -
Researcher: Ernesto Mancero, Departamento de Biología, Sede Bogotá, Universidad Nacional de Colombia :
Community-based seagrass restoration as a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation and adaptation
The aim is to develop a pilot technique to mitigate the erosion of seagrass beds in San Andrés, a small oceanic island located in the International Biosphere Reserve and marine protected area - “Seaflower”, in the Colombian Caribbean. Through the topographic restoration of 100 m of meadow boundary line, this initiative is expected to facilitate the natural regeneration of a meadow characterized by high tourist flow. The most abundant species in the grassland is Thalassia testudinum, which is predominant in the Caribbean. Seagrasses are recognized for the multiple ecosystem services they provide to society, such as storing organic carbon and providing food and shelter to multiple species of ecological and commercial importance. This area's restoration and conservation, based on the co-design of strategies with different stakeholders, such as academia, communities, public and private sectors, constitute nature-based solutions for the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change with potential positive impacts at the local, regional and global level.
3. Coastal/marine -
Researchers: Johana Herrera Arango and Elias Helo, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana - Bogotá, Colombia:
Afro-descendant peoples inhabiting the Colombian Caribbean's mangroves and coasts
As a case study, we propose to delve further into the Colombian Caribbean. In this region there are communal lands and coastlines and other common use resources, such as savannahs and low tide zones on the islands of Cartagena de Indias. Geographical, environmental, legal and economic studies have shown that these areas are characterized by the richness in the functionality of their ecosystems and are known for being the ancestral lands of ethnic groups, mostly Afro-descendant peoples. Specifically, the Baru Community Council, home to some 4,000 people, will receive collective titling of a portion of the island and a declaration of preferential use of the mangroves and other common goods such as beaches and coastal lagoons. Securing tenure rights for Baru's Afro-descendant community is expected to help counteract mangrove degradation and other problems associated with artisanal fishing. Much of the mangrove degradation and other problems are the result of overuse of the coasts by the hotel and real estate industries, which have tended to privatize and exclude the native people from coastal areas. This has led to numerous ecological and distributional conflicts and difficulties in managing the most important ecosystems for preserving the islands. This is related to the use, distribution, control and access to ecosystem goods and services in the continental area and in the extensive marine space that constitutes the territoriality of the baruleros. The inhabited sea is known as a maritorium, that is, a sea inhabited by the peoples of sailors and fishermen, also known as the peoples of the sea. Within the framework of the NbS project, we believe that this case of collective titling, which is currently under development, can contribute important lessons to the general project, among them: the relationship between tenure rights and conservation; the declaration of mangroves as areas of preferential use for native peoples; co-governance between state institutions and Afro-descendant authorities in mangroves, coasts and other similar ecosystems.
4. Mountainous/montane -
Researchers: Günther Schreder and Nicole Hynek, Universität für Weiterbildung Krems (UWK); Florian Schublach, Partner Institution: Naturpark Ötscher-Tormäuer (NP), Austria:
The problem of overforestation in the Ötscher region
In Alpine regions, overforestation impacts ecosystems, shifting landscapes from meadows to forests. Some municipalities face this with 80-90% forest cover, mainly spruce monocultures, which has a negative impact on biodiversity and the well-being of the local population. Young people leaving rural areas exacerbates the issue, as agriculture is becoming less attractive due to various factors. Overforestation, unlike deforestation, unfolds slowly and gradually, challenging perception and understanding due to complex socio-economic and ecological interactions. In the proposed project, the University for Continuing Education Krems and the Nature Park Ötscher-Tormäuer plan to involve the local community in a transdisciplinary process to identify possible nature-based solutions balancing environmental, social, and economic sustainability. By combining a thorough identification of system agents with an empirical investigation of mental models and perceived drivers and barriers to participation, we plan to address local needs and priorities, foster mutual learning, and stimulate active engagement to deal with the issue.
5. Urban -
Researchers: Salma Talhouk, Nour Bassil and Carine Ghassibe, American University of Beirut, Lebanon:
Ancillary Botanic Gardens and Green balconies
Two studies focus on overcoming the limitations of dense urban environments lacking in green spaces and botanical learning opportunities. The first investigates the role of green balconies in dense cities, revealing their potential as 'small urban tree equivalents' (SUTE) for enhancing urban biodiversity, reducing heat, and improving air quality. This research evaluates the impact of planted balconies in terms of plant canopy contribution and residents' engagement. Findings will shed light on the potential contribution of diverse plant species on balconies to biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The second study addresses the scarcity and uneven distribution of botanic gardens by exploring to what extent ancillary botanic gardens (ABGs) contribute to botanical learning. Located in existing green spaces managed by various entities, ABGs aims to democratize botanical learning, preserve local ecological knowledge, and support biodiversity and climate research under varied environmental conditions. This research explores visitors' perceptions and the motivations behind the creation of ABGs. It seeks to highlight the importance of ABGs in fostering informal botanical education and community engagement with nature. Both studies present innovative solutions for greening urban areas and enhancing botanical knowledge in densely populated settings.