Przegląd Geograficzny (2024) vol. 96, iss. 4
Nature-based Solutions as a research field integrating geography
Przegląd Geograficzny (2024) vol. 96, iss. 4, pp. 495-516 | 
Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2024.4.5
Abstract
The article’s main aim was to systemize the assumptions of the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) concept and to justify treating it as a research field integrating geographical sciences. Main aim was specified by formulating three research questions:
1) What are the key assumptions of the NbS concept?
2) What connections can be distinguished between the NbS concept and geography?
3) How can geography contribute to the development of the NbS concept?
The article is based on a literature review, and the findings presented therein are based on a content analysis of the 93 publications.
NbS establish a new framework in discussion on biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the sustainable use of natural resources (Kabisch et al., 2017; Cohen-Shacham et al., 2019; Al Sayah et al., 2022; Bockarjova et al., 2022). What distinguishes NbS from other “green concepts” is its emphasis on formulating solutions for specific problems, with the clear identification of these problems being a key aspect of this approach (Potschin et al., 2016). NbS are treated also as an ‘umbrella concept’, integrating diverse approaches that use ecosystem services as a response to societal challenges (Cohen-Shacham et al., 2016; Seddon et al., 2021).
Most commonly used NbS definitions were proposed by International Union for Conservation of Nature (Walters et al, 2016) and European Commission (KE, 2015, 2024). Both proposals are characterized by a high level of generality, but allow to identify the three key assumptions of NbS: (1) simultaneous provision of environmental, social and economic benefits, (2) use of natural processes to strengthen resilience to global challenges, and (3) taking into account local conditions in the process of implementing NbS. The literature emphasizes that NbS use ecosystem services to meet social needs related to various aspects of socio-economic development (e.g. Maes i Jacobs, 2017; O’Hogain i McCarton, 2018; Brears, 2020). Ecosystem services, unlike NbS, are already a well-established research concept that has been developing dynamically since the late 1990s (Daily, 1997; Costanza et al., 1997). They encompass all benefits obtained by humans from the natural environment, from the functioning of ecosystems that are in a proper condition (DeGroot et al., 2002; Solon, 2008; Mizgajski, 2010). Therefore, NbS should be treated as an applied research field whose theoretical foundation is the concept of ecosystem services. NbS are primarily actions that effectively use natural processes to address social challenges, providing various benefits (Sowińska-Świerkosz and García, 2022). Translating NbS into specific actions requires establishing a set of criteria, conditions, or principles that would enable a uniform interpretation of this concept (Cohen-Shacham et al., 2019; IUCN, 2020; Sowińska-Świerkosz and García, 2022; Kabisch et al., 2022). One of the proposal is The Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (IUCN, 2020) which is the most developed, universal and not limited to a specific geographical context set of eight criterions and 28 indicators. This set was synthesized what allowed for formulating the six key NbS assumptions:
1) simultaneous achievement of environmental, social and economic benefits;
2) taking into account local conditions is crucial for the proper shaping of the human-environment relations;
3) the precautionary principle should be applied in the undertaken actions;
4) actions shaping the human-environment relationship should constitute an acceptable compromise developed by various groups of local actors within the social participation;
5) monitoring and evaluation of the undertaken actions is necessary to provide information on the changes caused in the human-environment relations;
6) promotional activities should be undertaken to increase public awareness of its close connection with the natural environment.
Taking into account the identified NbS assumptions, it may be stated that their scope largely overlaps with the research field of geography, the science containing equivalents of almost all major social and natural sciences, and interdisciplinarity is its fundamental feature (Zarycki, 2021). Geography recognizes the simultaneous belonging of humans to both the world of culture and nature, what is fundamental for NbS implementation. This concept, through its systemic nature, manifested in the consideration of various elements and relations between them (Kabisch et al., 2022), seems to create an appropriate framework for research involving representatives of numerous subdisciplines of both socio-economic and physical geography. The connection between the NbS concept and the research field of geography is clear, as evidenced by the numerous common elements, including both holistic aspects (e.g. the interaction system: natural environment – society, sustainable development, research methodology) and more specialized ones (e.g. urbanization, rural development, shaping water regime and climate conditions, social participation). Geographers also have the competence to develop a theoretical model describing the systemic approach – a fundamental principle of implementing NbS (Kabisch et al., 2022). For this purpose, it is proposed to use the previous achievements of Polish geography, both physical, related to the systemic perception of the natural environment (Bartkowski, 1986), and socio-economic geography, related to the concept of the territorial social system (Chojnicki, 1989). In addition to this broad research task, it is also necessary to indicate narrower ones, of a more empirical nature, including: identification of changes occurring in the spatial structures and physiognomy of cities under the influence of the popularization of the NbS concept, in-depth studies on the natural and social effects of NbS in the local dimension, or research related to the identification of the degree of use of NbS and the dissemination of this concept within development policy.
Keywords: nature-based solutions, NbS, geography research field, geography development, geography integration
[herod@amu.edu.pl], Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Geografii Społeczno-Ekonomicznej i Gospodarki Przestrzennej
Citation
APA: Herodowicz, T. (2024). Rozwiązania oparte na przyrodzie jako pole badawcze integrujące geografię. Przegląd Geograficzny, 96(4), 495-516. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2024.4.5
MLA: Herodowicz, Tomasz. "Rozwiązania oparte na przyrodzie jako pole badawcze integrujące geografię". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 96, no. 4, 2024, pp. 495-516. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2024.4.5
Chicago: Herodowicz, Tomasz. "Rozwiązania oparte na przyrodzie jako pole badawcze integrujące geografię". Przegląd Geograficzny 96, no. 4 (2024): 495-516. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2024.4.5
Harvard: Herodowicz, T. 2024. "Rozwiązania oparte na przyrodzie jako pole badawcze integrujące geografię". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 96, no. 4, pp. 495-516. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2024.4.5