Common Question: How are the short-term successes and long-term impacts of NbS projects assessed to ensure they deliver lasting value?
The Invest4Nature Living Labs have provided valuable insights into how they measure the success and impact of their Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) projects. Here are the key takeaways, along with specific examples from different cases:
Integrated and Multidimensional Approaches
Portugal:
- Short-term Success: Assessed through immediate metrics such as biodiversity levels, water quality, and community engagement. Regular monitoring of flora and fauna, along with water analysis, provides clear data on ecological improvements.
- Long-term Impact: Evaluated through ongoing assessment of ecosystem services like flood regulation, carbon sequestration, and soil health. Remote sensing and geographic information systems are used to track changes over time.
Denmark:
- Short-term Success: Demonstrated by the functionality of climate adaptation solutions during extreme weather events. For example, the new ponds and infiltration basins in Risvangen successfully managed a major cloudburst in 2023.
- Long-term Impact: Assessed through modeling and comparison with conventional solutions, showing that nature-based solutions perform better in nutrient management and flood prevention.
Community and Stakeholder Engagement
Poland:
- Short-term Success: Gauged through qualitative assessments and feedback from community members and stakeholders. Regular monitoring provides insights into environmental and social benefits.
- Long-term Impact: Ensured through cross-departmental collaboration and adaptive planning, aligning diverse priorities and coordinating resources.
Austria:
- Short-term Success: Monitored through comprehensive programs focusing on river morphological changes, species development, and socio-economic impacts.
- Long-term Impact: Continued monitoring integrated into regional management plans, attracting scientific interest and fostering ongoing research.
Adaptive and Continuous Monitoring
Norway:
- Short-term Success: Measured by baseline ecosystem assessments and regular monitoring of key features like sea urchin density and kelp forest health.
- Long-term Impact: Evaluated through the recovery of kelp forests and associated species, with goals set based on study design and project ambitions.
Conclusion
The common thread across all these projects is the emphasis on integrated, multidimensional approaches that combine immediate metrics with long-term monitoring. Community and stakeholder engagement, along with adaptive planning and continuous evaluation, are crucial for ensuring the lasting value of NbS projects. These examples from Portugal, Denmark, Poland, Norway, and Austria highlight the diverse strategies employed to achieve sustainable and resilient ecosystems.
By sharing these insights, the Invest4Nature Living Labs demonstrate the importance of comprehensive assessment frameworks in delivering impactful and enduring nature-based solutions.