Nature-Based Solution to Climate Change Shows Enormous Potential

For the first time, the study provides a comprehensive overview of nature-based solutions (NbS) to reduce climate change and benefit biodiversity in the United Kingdom. The detailed review of the available data, which includes contributions from over 100 scientists, outlines the strengths, weaknesses, and trade-offs of NbS in various environments across the UK.

NbS

"The Nature-based Solutions study provides a real framework for setting practical strategies and incentives that will maximize the gains of nature-based solutions in the UK for the environment and biodiversity," said Professor Jane Memmott, President of the British Ecological Society.

Despite the wide variety of advantages that NbS have, the study emphasizes that they can be seen as a supplement to, rather than a substitute for, other climate and conservation actions.

Related Article: Sustainable New Normal: Green Energy Capacity Increases by 45% During COVID-19 Pandemic

The following are some instances of how NbS can help the environment: 

Freshwater 

Freshwater habitats such as rivers and wetlands have high biodiversity, but this is being endangered by climate change, increasing the likelihood of floods and drought due to shifting rainfall patterns.

Professor Chris Spray, the lead author of the Freshwater chapter at the University of Dundee, said: "Protecting these endangered habitats would necessitate a 'wholescape' catchment solution that integrates ecological, cultural, and socioeconomic processes. Planting trees along riverbanks, for example, will preserve habitats by providing shelter and building thermal refuges, as well as slowing the flow of water to help mitigate flood risk."

Grasslands 

Grazing grasslands by a diverse range of animals on the same landscape, such as sheep, cattle, horses, goats, and alpacas, will improve grassland sward diversity and greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions can also be reduced by switching from constant grazing to rotational or hybrid grazing.

Marine Ecosystems 

Investing in NbS that preserve or maintain marine areas has several advantages and minor drawbacks. Good coastal habitats provide high biodiversity, playing critical ecological functions such as fish nursery grounds, in addition to providing shelter from storm surges, reducing coastal floods, and improving human welfare.

Arable

Agroforestry, or the integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural systems, is an NbS that provides carbon sequestration and conservation, with average storage of up to 63 tons of carbon per hectare due to the increased presence of trees. Agroforestry also decreases flood risk and soil degradation while increasing biodiversity by providing tree cover and insect and bird habitat.

Developed Ecosystems

Cities with plenty of trees have a lot of carbon-capture opportunities. Despite occupying 0.03 percent of Britain's land area, the city of Leicester accounts for nearly 0.2 percent of Britain's aboveground carbon store, with trees accounting for over 97 percent of this.

Urban trees also have a localized cooling impact, which is expected to save £22 million in annual energy usage in London alone. Furthermore, trees improve leisure and people's relationship to nature and benefit wildlife by creating habitat and improving connectivity.

Also Read: Green Consumption: 5 Eco-Friendly, Sustainability-Promoting Brands Worth Checking Out

For more news update about Environmental Action, don't forget to follow Nature World News!