Volume: 1, 2022
1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1.E015
Published online: 26 April 2022
ICDSUPL, 1, E015 (2022)
Typological and spatial structure of strong nature-based solutions (NBS) candidates: Lublin case study
Julia Wójcik-Madej1*, Barbara Sowińska-Świerkosz1
1 Department of Hydrobiology and Protection of Ecosystems, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: julia.wojcik3@wp.pl
Abstract
The concept of nature-based solutions (NBS) has been officially defined in 2015 by the European Commission as ‘actions address environmental, social and economic challenges simultaneously by maximizing the benefits provided by nature inspired by, supported by, or copied from nature’. Thus, NBS is a multidisciplinary umbrella concept that combines social and economic benefits with the concept of ‘nature’. Both brand new interventions official called as NBS and pre-existed interventions, can be framed as NBS. Therefore, previous conservation, restoration and sustainable use actions has a great chance to became NBS. To do so, these actions must meet the Union for Conservation of Nature Global Standards for NBS, which are as follow: (1) NBS effectively address societal challenges; (2) Design of NBS is informed by scale; (3) NBS result in a net gain to biodiversity and ecosystem integrity; (4) NBS are economically viable; (5) NBS are based on inclusive and transparent governance processes; (6) NBS equitably balance trade-offs; (7) NBS are managed adaptively; (8) NBS support the sustainable development. These criteria were adopted to assess whether pre-existed interventions applied on the area of the city of Lublin can be considered as strong NBS candidates. To do so firstly, the spatial distribution of green and blue solutions was analysed based on the both open spatial data and data obtained from the Lublin City Office. Then, IUCN criteria were applied using the self-assessment sheet. As a result as intervention adheres to the Global Standard for NBS were detected elements belonging to all four general typological classes of NBS which are based on the level of human intervention. As strong NBS candidates were detected: (1) Individual forms of nature protection; (2) Maintenance of the functions of natural wetlands; (3) Creation of urban apiaries, ‘hotels’ for insects, nesting boxes for native bat and bird species; (4) Creation of ecological corridors; (5) Biodiversity protection actions; (6) Application of greenery with wind protection function; (7) Small retention measures, including a list of plots included in the “Catch the rainwater” programme; (8) Urban forest, parks, gardens; (9) Creation of flower meadows; (10) Preservation of orchards and agricultural land in the urban structure; (11) Creation of green roofs, walls and bus stops; (12) Use of infiltration structures. Most of the interventions meet the criteria of challenge orientation, appropriate scale, biodiversity gain and sustainable development support. The criteria dealing with the economic viability and management capability including adaptive approach occurred to be crucial for decide whether a given pre-existed action may be considered as NBS. Obtained result showed what aspects of implementation, management and monitoring should be strengthen in the aim to fully benefit from the potential of pre-existed concept.
How to cite
J. Wójcik-Madej, B. Sowińska-Świerkosz, 2022. Typological and spatial structure of strong nature-based solutions (NBS) candidates: Lublin case study. In: 1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1/E015